South Africa recalls Botha, Tsotsobe for Test series against India

Johannesburg, Jan.19 (ANI) : South Africa have recalled off-spinner Johan Botha and left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe for the two match Test series against India next month.

Both and Tsotsobe were included in the 13-man squad which was previously picked for the third and fourth Test against England.

South Africa already has a spinner in the team in the form of Paul Harris, but given the friendly conditions in India the team management decided to add another spinner to the touring contingent.

"It is important to have a second specialist spin bowling option for a Test series on the Asian sub-continent. We feel this squad covers all our tactical options," The Dawn quoted selection convenor Mike Procter, as saying.

Explosive batsmen Herschelle Gibbs and Loots Bosman have also been included in the 15-man squad for three one-day internationals to be played during the tour.

"We feel that Bosman gives us an explosive hitting option up front and this will be the ideal opportunity for him to show his worth on the sub-continent where next year's World Cup will be played," Procter added.

South Africa's Test squad : Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

One-day squad: Smith (captain), Loots Bosman, Botha, Boucher (wkt), De Villiers, Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Parnell, Petersen, Steyn, Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe. (ANI)