Martin van Jaarsveld to make his test debut against Bangladesh

The national selectors have chosen the following team to represent South Africa in the first Castle Lager/MTN Test match against Bangladesh at Buffalo Park, East London, starting on Friday:

Mark Boucher (Captain)(Border),
Gary Kirsten (Western Province),
Herschelle Gibbs (Western Province),
Graeme Smith (Western Province),
Jacques Kallis (Western Province),
Ashwell Prince (Western Province),
Martin van Jaarsveld (Northerns),
Claude Henderson (Western Province),
David Terbrugge (Gauteng),
Makhaya Ntini (Border),
Mornantau Hayward (Eastern Province),
12th Man Alfonso Thomas (North West),

Northerns middle order batsman Martin van Jaarsveld is the only new cap named in the South African team to play Bangladesh in the first Castle Lager/MTN Test match at Buffalo Park in East London from the 18th to the 22nd of October.

National captain Shaun Pollock is not included as he is receiving treatment for a knee injury, and the selectors felt that he would benefit from a rest. Mark Boucher will lead the team for the fourth time, having captained the side in all three home Tests against the Australians earlier this year.

Western Province left arm spinner Paul Adams has been withdrawn from the team after he injured his back on the third day of Western Province's SuperSport Series match against the KZN Dolphins in Durban which ended on Monday.

National selection panel convener Omar Henry, who spoke to Adams on the fourth morning of the match, said "At that stage Paul thought it was just a spasm, but when he returned to Cape Town and consulted a doctor, the diagnosis was that there was some disc movement." Henry, in consultation with Adams and his doctor, decided that the safest option would be to withdraw the player from the Test.

Adams will see a specialist tomorrow (Wednesday) and undergo a series of tests to determine the exact nature of the injury.

With Nicky Boje still receiving treatment for a fractured finger he suffered in Colombo, the selectors have named Western Province left arm orthodox spinner Claude Henderson as Adams's replacement.

Henry said "Henderson is the next in line in terms of Test cricket. We feel that he has the necessary skills and experience to do a good job." Having made his debut in the first Test in Australia last summer, the 30-year-old Henderson went on to play all three Tests, but missed out on the home series.

Henry continued: "We feel Robin Peterson will benefit greatly from playing a four-day-game for SA A against the Sri Lankans, and he also has a great role to play in the one-day squad in the future."

Eastern Province fast bowler Mornantau Hayward is recalled to the team for his first Test since the second Test against Australia in Melbourne last December.

The Convenor of the National selectors, Omar Henry, said: "Van Jaarsveld is the form player at the moment and he has proven himself a consistent run scorer over a prolonged period. "

The 28-year-old Van Jaarsveld said: "It is a great feeling to receive recognition at Test level. I have worked so hard for so long and suddenly, in the last two weeks things have been happeneing."

Van Jaarsveld was named on of South Africa's Five Mutual & Federal Cricketers of the year last Monday, a day after making his senior International debut in the 2nd Standard Bank ODI against Bangladesh in Benoni.