Kallis to be rested for Zimbabwe ODIs

Jacques Kallis will be rested for the three one-day internationals against Zimbabwe, which start on February 25 at Johannesburg. Kallis, who had a decent one-day series against England, scoring 227 runs at 32, is likely to be replaced by Boeta Dippenaar. With the recent completion of the long and tiring England series, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini are the other players who have opted out of the entire Zimbabwe series, in order to be fresh for the vital tour of the Caribbean next month.

Haroon Lorgat, the convener of selectors, told news24.com: "I spoke to the four senior players - captain Graeme Smith, Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. I asked them if they wanted to be given a rest period for the entire tour or if they wanted to play in some matches. A decision was taken to rest Kallis in the one-day series, but he will play in the Tests. The others will play in some of the matches."

The 14-man one-day squad is expected to be announced today. The absence of Pollock and Ntini has opened the doors for Charl Langeveldt and Monde Zondeki. Langeveldt, who bowled a matchwinning spell at Cape Town, has fully recovered from the hand injury that kept him out of the rest of the series against England.

South Africa are also scheduled to play two Tests against Zimbabwe.