Paceman Zondeki wins SA call-up

Fast bowler Monde Zondeki took a further step towards a place in South Africa's World Cup squad when he was included on Saturday in the squad to face Sri Lanka in the first two of five one-day internationals.

Zondeki, 20, returned an immaculate analysis of 7-2-8-1 playing for South Africa 'A' against the touring Sri Lankans earlier on Saturday but his inclusion in the main squad came as a suprise to most observers.

There was no place for 35-year-old batsman Daryll Cullinan who made a second ball duck for the 'A' team while fellow veteran Gary Kirsten, South Africa's leading one-day run scorer, was also omitted.

Allan Donald was included in the squad despite playing no more than club cricket and two provincial one-day matches in the last two months while Free State team mate Nicky Boje also returns to international cricket after recovering from knee and shoulder surgery.

South Africa play Sri Lanka at the Wanderers in Johannesburg and Centurion near Pretoria on November 27 and 29 before moving to Benoni, Kimberley and Bloemfontein on December 1, 4 and 6.

Squad: Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Boeta Dippenaar, Justin Ontong, Lance Klusener, Andrew Hall, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Shaun Pollock (captain), Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki.

Mail Cricket Editor