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Amla and Steyn added to Test squad

Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn have been added to South Africa's squad for the third and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers which starts on Friday

Cricinfo staff
28-Mar-2006


Hashim Amla has been included in South Africa's Test squad after impressing in domestic cricket© Getty Images
Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn have been added to South Africa's squad for the third and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers which starts on Friday. Both have played just three Tests but they are in strong domestic form and may help South Africa recover some pride after losing the series at Durban on Tuesday.
The chairman of selectors Haroon Lorgat said: "Both have had exposure to Test cricket and have been in good form this season. They will bring fresh options in both the middle order and bowling departments for the third Test. We will sit down and discuss possible scenarios in the next two days."
Amla's Test debut was in November 2004, against India in Kolkata, and he played the first two Tests against England last season, scoring 62 runs. He made a strong case for his inclusion as the leading runscorer in this year's Supersport Series, with 873 runs from 10 matches at an average of 62.35.
Steyn played in three of the Tests against England, taking eight wickets with his pace bowling. He is rewarded for his good form for the Nashua Titans in the Supersport Series, taking 41 wickets at 17.68 in eight matches in the round-robin phase.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged for the dead rubber.

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Lorgat also announced the Rest of South Africa XI to play New Zealand in a four-day match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni which starts on Friday 7th April. The team will be led by Neil McKenzie, who captains the Highveld Lions. Players from the Nashua Dolphins and the Nashua Titans were not considered for selection due to their involvement in the Supersport Series Final.
Stephen Cook replaces Boeta Dippenaar, who has been ruled out with a bout of flu. Johan van der Wath - who recently underwent an operation on his knee - is replaced by Rory Kleinveldt and Vaughn van Jaarsveld comes in as 12th man
Rest of South Africa XI Stephen Cook, Alviro Peterson, Davey Jacobs, Neil McKenzie (capt), JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Thami Tsolekile (wkt), Rory Kleinveldt, Robin Peterson, Garnett Kruger, Monde Zondeki. 12th manVaughn van Jaarsveld