Ackerman on standby for Kirsten

Western Province right-hand batsman HD Ackerman will travel to Zimbabwe with the South African squad on Wednesday as back-up for opening batsman Gary Kirsten, who has a stiff neck.

The convenor of national selectors, Rushdi Magiet, said today that Kirsten would have a fitness test in Zimbabwe before the first Test (starting on Friday September 7). If Kirsten is fit to play, Ackerman will return to South Africa.