Langeveldt pulls out of India tour

Charl Langeveldt, the South Africa fast bowler, has opted out of the Test series in India beginning next week, saying the controversy over the selection of the squad so upset him he feels he won't be in the right frame of mind for the matches.

Langeveldt was picked ahead of Andre Nel in the 14-man squad for the three-Test series, a move seen by many as pandering to Cricket South Africa's transformation policy. Nel was reportedly disappointed after his exclusion, and there was speculation over his future with South Africa.

Gerald Majola, the CSA chief executive, said Joubert Strydom, the convenor of selectors, had accepted Langeveldt's request to withdraw from the touring party, and that the selectors were considering a replacement.

"Charl Langeveldt called me today in an emotional state saying he wanted to withdraw from the tour of India so that he can consider his international future in the right frame of mind," Majola said. "He said that the public controversy over the selection of the Proteas team to tour India had upset him to the extent that he would not be in the right frame of mind to tour India and do his best."

"Charl said he wanted to use this time instead to consider his future in international cricket in a cool and calm manner.

"I have assured Charl that he is very much in the plans, and is regarded as one of our best fast bowlers in both ODI and Test cricket.

"We will have in-depth discussions with him, and hopefully he will continue to be available for international selection."

No replacement has been named as yet for Langeveldt in the squad, which arrives in India later this week.