Kirsten and Adams back for South Africa

South Africa today announced a 13-man squad for the second and third Test matches against West Indies.

Gary Kirsten returned following the birth of his son, while Paul Adams replaced Robin Peterson after recovering from a hand injury. Garnett Kruger, meanwhile, has been left out.

"Paul Adams is fit again and it was encouraging to see him put in a good performance for the KZN Invitation XI against South Africa schools yesterday," Omar Henry, the coach, said. "As far as Robbie Peterson is concerned, he is an exciting young talent on a steep learning curve who came up against one of the worlds great batsmen in top form at the Wanderers," he added, referring to when Brian Lara smashed Peterson for 28 runs in one over. "Knowing him, he would have learnt from that experience and will come back a better player."

Kirsten's recall means that one of the middle-order batsmen will miss out. "It's great to have a man of Gary's experience and talent back, he brings so much to the team," said Henry. "It also creates more competition among the younger players for a place in the middle order, and that is not a bad thing at all."

The second Test starts at Durban on December 26, and the third Test at Cape Town on January 2. South Africa are 1-0 up in the series following their comprehensive win at the Wanderers last week.

Squad Graeme Smith (capt), Mark Boucher (wk), Paul Adams, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph, Martin van Jaarsveld.