Johannesburg, Dec.10 : South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been dropped from the 13-man squad for the upcoming Test series against England.
Dane Piedt is the only spinner to be selected in the squad, with Simon Harmer also being shown the door.
Speaking on the exclusion of the two spinners, Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener, Linda Zondi said that the current South African conditions made it inevitable to choose only one spinner.
Meanwhile, AB de Villiers will return to the role of wicketkeeper-batsman for the first two matches, Sport24 reported.
In a bid to strengthen the batting depth, Zondi said that De Villiers’ role would provide the team with a specialist batsman at number seventh position.
In addition, uncapped batsman Rilee Rossouw has been included in the Test squad while Kyle Abbott will replace injured Vernon Philander.
The two sides will play the four-match Test series, starting from December 26 in Durban.
South Africa’s Test squad is as follows:
Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl (ANI)