Gibbs recalled, Prince named vice-capatin of Proteas Test squad

Johannesburg, June 13 (UNI) Opener Herschelle Gibbs was recalled and Ashwell Prince named the stand-in vice-captain in place of injured Jacques Kallis in the 14-member South African Test squad announced for the Sri Lanka tour today.

The team will play a two-Test series against the Lankans starting July 16.

Rookie off spinner Thandi Tshabalala has also been included in the team as the second spinner along with Nicky Boje.

''We have taken a bold step to include Thandi in our efforts to create more spin options. We want him to develop and gain experience with the squad, especially in sub-continent conditions,'' Convener of selectors Haroon Largot said in a statement here.

Gibbs was picked ahead of Jacques Rudolph despite being out of action for the past two months. The opener was dropped because of poor form but has been recalled.

''We expect to face tough choices this season as the quality of our fringe players improve, and Jacques Rudolph can consider himself unlucky not to be in the squad. He was left out to accommodate a second spinner, and we opted not to carry an extra batsman to Sri Lanka for only two Tests,'' Largot said.

Meanwhile, Kallis is recovering from surgery to his tennis elbow injury earlier this month and is expected to return to action in about 10-12 weeks.

Veteran seamer Shaun Pollock will join the team after its departure on July 18 as he will be with his wife for the birth of their second child.

The Proteas ODI squad will be announced during the Test series.

The Squad: Graeme Smith (Captain), Ashwell Prince (vice-captain), Hashim Amla, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippennaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn and Thandi Tshabalala.

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