South Africa hope to meet racial quotas

Gerald Majola: 'There is going to be fierce competition for the final berths in the World Cup' © Cricinfo Ltd

South Africa have announced their provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup in the West Indies in March. Their convenor of selectors, Haroon Lorgat, has said that the selectors are very close to finalising the 15 names who will travel to the Carribean, but denied that colour would be an influence on selection.

Lorgat said that although CSA had set the selectors a target of at least seven players of colour, the team would be selected on merit. "There are just a few nuts and bolts that we have to sort out," he said. "I would suggest that 13 names are already established and we just need to finalise the last two places.

"I would be over the moon if we could pick seven or more [players of colour], but we're not picking on colour, we're picking the best team."

There were no surprises in the provisional squad, which contains all but three of the current South Africam Test team - Paul Adams, Hashim Amla and Morne Morkel.

The squad must be cut to 15 by February 13, and Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa, said: "All these players have been involved in high level domestic or international competition, and have also been part of the high performance programme since last season.

"The fruits of the franchise system in both the MTN and SuperSport competitions can now be seen, and there is going to be fierce competition for the final berths in the World Cup squad from outside the Proteas. This augurs well for sending a strong, well-balanced and well-prepared squad to meet the challenges of Caribbean conditions against the best in the world."

As part of the prepartaions a 14-man A-squad has been selected to tour Zimbabwe and play three one-day matches on January 25, 27 and 28.

Provisional squad Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Garnett Kruger, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Roger Telemachus, Alfonso Thomas, Thandi Tshabalala, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk.

Zimbabwe tour squad Robin Peterson (capt), Loots Bosman, Boeta Dippenaar, JP Duminy, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Vernon Philander, Roger Telemachus, Alfonso Thomas, Thandi Tshabalala, Johan van der Wath, Morne van Wyk