Pollock to lead African XI in openers

Shaun Pollock has been named as captain of the Africa XI for the first two matches of the Afro-Asia Cup which kicks off on August 17, replacing Graeme Smith who will be still serving his four-match ban. Jacques Kallis will act as deputy in this time. Smith will be available for the the third and final one-dayer, on August 21.

For the opening match, Zimbabwe's Heath Streak, Tatenda Taibu and Andy Blignaut will be unavailable because of the second Test against New Zealand. However, this match is the only one in which the South African allrounder Justin Ontong is available.

African squad Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, Boeta Dippenaar, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher, Monde Zondeki, Jacques Rudolph, Nicky Boje, Justin Ontong, Steve Tikolo, Collins Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Heath Streak, Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Dale Steyn