Bodi called up for Caribbean one-day series

Gulam Bodi, the 22-year-old KwaZulu-Natal left-arm wrist spinner is to fly to the Caribbean to replace Nicky Boje in the South African squad for the seven-game one-day series against the West Indies starting at the end of April.

Boje left the tour after South Africa had wrapped up the Test series in Antigua to return home for surgery to an injured shoulder and although Boland offspinner Justin Ontong will join the South African squad for the one-dayers, Paul Adams will return to South Africa after the Test series as scheduled.

Bodi's selection is reward for the impressive progress made during the recently completed South Africa domestic season. An attacking left-hand bat, he was considered for the original party to go to the Caribbean, but it was felt he still needed another year or two to mature as a cricketer. Boje's injury, however, has opened a door unexpectedly for him.

"Gulam has had a very good season and he deserves his selection. The team needs a spinner who can bat and he has done that job very well for KwaZulu-Natal during the season. I'm very excited for him and I am sure he'll do well," said the convener of national selectors, Rushdi Magiet.

Bodi's call-up comes as he plays Lancashire League cricket and he will fly out of England for Jamaica on Sunday.

"I am over the moon," said Bodi on Wednesday. "I'm really pumped up and ready to go. It's all still sinking in but I'm really excited and ready to do my best."

Bodi took 18 wickets in the Standard Bank Cup this season at an average of 22.27 (best 5-46). He scored 283 runs in the competition (best 106*), averaging of 25.72 with one century and one fifty.