SA Withdraw Tahir Over Eligibility Fears

Johannesburg: South Africa have withdrawn Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir from their squad for Thursday's fourth and final Test against England because of fears over his eligibility.

Cricket South Africa media officer Michael Owen-Smith said on Saturday the 30-year-old had been pulled out to avoid any problems.

Tahir, born in Lahore, married a South African woman and became a naturalised citizen last year.

"Imran Tahir's permanent resident papers have not come through yet and Cricket South Africa would rather be absolutely certain of his eligibility before playing him," said Owen-Smith. "We have to be 100 percent certain before putting him in a national squad."

Tahir qualifies as a local player for domestic cricket and represents Easterns.

Although he has played just two matches in South Africa's premier four-day competition this season, taking seven wickets at an average of 51, Tahir has done well for Easterns in the lower-ranked SAA Provincial Challenge, claiming 36 wickets at 15.61.

He was also English county Hampshire's leading wicket-taker last season with 52 victims.

Tahir's withdrawal eases the pressure on Paul Harris. The left-arm spinner's place seemed to be in doubt after he failed to bowl South Africa to victory on the final day of the drawn third Test in Cape Town.

Harris is now the only frontline spinner left in the squad for the Johannesburg Test as no replacement was named for Tahir. England lead the series 1-0.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Australia vs India - 3rd Test West Indies vs Bangladesh - 2nd T20I 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh - December 19, 00:00 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 19, 07:30 GMT 1st ODI - South Africa v Pakistan at Paarl Pakistan won by 3 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) 1st ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare No results

England Fined For Slow Over Rate in Final Test [+]

England players have been fined for their team's slow over rate in the final Test at the Wanderers which South Africa won by an innings and 74 runs on Sunday.

Career-best Rankings for Smith and Morkel [+]

Graeme Smith, the South African captain, and Morne Morkel, one half of his hostile new-ball pair, have climbed to career-best rankings after South Africa's resounding victory in the fourth Test at the Wanderers.

South Africa Level Test Series in Style [+]

South Africa won the final Test by an innings and 74 runs, bowling England out for 169 just before lunch on the fourth day to level the series at 1-1.

England on Course For Heavy Defeat in Final Test [+]

England look set for a heavy defeat in the final Test at the Wanderers as they end day three on 48-3, still trailing South Africa by 195 runs.

Smith Century Puts South Africa on Top [+]

Graeme Smith hit a century as South Africa took control before heavy rain stopped play on the second day of the fourth and final Test against England.

Morkel and Steyn Rout England For 180, SA 29/0 [+]

South Africa's fast bowlers took advantage of helpful conditions as England crashed to 180 all out on the first day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium.

Friedel de Wet to Mss England Final Test [+]

South Africa paceman Friedel de Wet will miss the fourth and final Test against England after suffering a recurrence of a back problem in the third Test.

SA Withdraw Tahir Over Eligibility Fears [+]

South Africa have withdrawn Pakistan-born leggie Imran Tahir from their squad for fourth Test against England because of fears over his eligibility.

England Duo Reject Ball-tampering Claims [+]

James Anderson and Stuart Broad both insisted they had nothing to be ashamed of after being caught up in suggestions of ball-tampering.

South Africa Call Parnell, Tahir for Final Test [+]

Left-arm swing bowler Wayne Parnell and leg-spinner Imran Tahir have been added to South Africa's squad for the fourth Test against England.