Veteran quicks but no Cullinan in SA squad for Australia

Veteran fast bowlers Allan Donald and Steve Elworthy have both been included in the South African squad to tour Australia at the end of the year, but there is no place for Daryll Cullinan.

Donald has not played in an international match this summer, but has been included on the basis of his vast experience and, as selection convener Rushdi Magiet put it, "he's a great motivator". South Africa's senior fast bowler missed the two-Test tour of Zimbabwe in September after being struck down with flu and was then kept out of the Indian tour after straining a stomach muscle, but, according to Magiet, has now been passed fit to tour.

Elworthy, meanwhile, forced himself into the squad by sheer weight of wickets in domestic cricket this season. The 36-year-old "crashed the door down, said Magiet who added that the experience of both Donald and Elworthy would be an asset to the side.

An experienced player not going, however, is Daryll Cullinan who has played only one-first class match this summer after undergoing knee surgery. Magiet said Cullinan's lack of cricket together with his poor record against Australia had precluded him. Magiet added that there were "other factors" in his exclusion, a reference, presumably, to the rivalry that emerged between Cullinan and Shane Warne during South Africa's last two tours of Australia.

Jonty Rhodes has also not been included for the Test section of the tour, but he will join the squad for the one-day series. Although Rhodes has a full contract with the United Cricket Board, he has repeatedly said that he is not available for Test cricket and it appears to be the case that the selectors have chosen not to force the issue. Why this should be the case is not known.

Magiet did confirm, however that the selectors had spoken to Rhodes "about three to four weeks ago", but had not been able to persuade him to change his mind.

A minor surprise is the inclusion of Justin Ontong who has previously been regarded as a one-day player. He has been included, said Magiet, as an extra batsman.

The 15-man squad will be supplement by Rhodes, Justin Kemp and Charl Langeveldt for the on-day series with the players to be sent back to South Africa being announced at the start of the third Test in Sydney.

Squad

Shaun Pollock (capt), Mark Boucher (vice capt), Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Steve Elworthy, Herschelle Gibbs, Nantie Hayward, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Jacques Rudolph.

Jonty Rhodes, Justin Kemp and Charl Langeveldt to join the squad for the one-day series.