Philander Returns for Pakistan Test

Paarl: Vernon PhilandeR makes his expected return to the Proteas Castle Lager squad for the first Sunfoil Test match against Pakistan to be played at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, from Friday, February 1 to Tuesday, February 5.

The second and third Sunfoil Test matches follow at Sahara Park Newlands and SuperSport Park, Centurion.

"We have given a full vote of confidence to the squad of 13 that did duty in the recent Sunfoil Series against New Zealand," commented Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener Andrew Hudson.

Rory Kleinveldt and Jacques Rudolph will again provide the bowling and batting cover if necessary. At the moment there are no injury concerns.

"We are very happy with the job that Rory did against New Zealand when Vernon dropped out while Jacques provides us with a lot of experience as the cover batsman. We have quite a few inexperienced batsmen in our top order and we feel that a bit of extra experience will be useful should the need arise."

Proteas Castle Lager Test squad:

• Graeme Smith (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras, capt)
• Hashim Amla (Sunfoil Dolphins)
• AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans, wk)
• Faf du Plessis (Nashua Titans)
• Dean Elgar (Chevrolet Knights)
• Jacques Kallis (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras)
• Rory Kleinveldt (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras)
• Morne Morkel (Nashua Titans)
• Alviro Petersen (bizhub Highveld Lions)
• Robbie Peterson (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras)
• Vernon Philander (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras)
• Jacques Rudolph (Nashua Titans)
• Dale Steyn (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras)