Zondeki to replace Langeveldt

Durban:

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday named fast bowler Monde Zondeki to replace Charl Langeveldt in the national squad for the three-match Test series against India starting on March 26.

Langeveldt had withdrawn from the team after he was selected in place of fast bowler Andre Nel to fulfill CSA's requirements of at least six players of colour to be included in the national squad.

Langeveldt told CSA CEO Gerald Majola that he was not in the right frame of mind to play in India because of the controversy surrounding the dropping of Nel and his inclusion.

Majola said, "He (Langeveldt) said the public controversy over the selection of the team to tour India had upset him to the extent he would be in the right frame of mind to tour India and do his best."

"We will have in-depth discussions with him and hopefully he will continue to be available for international selection."

Twenty-five-year-old Zondeki is only the second black African to have been selected for the national team after Makhaya Ntini. His selection fills the transformation quota for at least six players of colour to be included in the national team.

He is the leading wicket-taker in South African first-class cricket this season with 62 dismissals at an average of 19.16. He has also played five Tests and has also toured Australia with the South African ODI squad.

"Monde has shown outstanding form this season to establish himself as the leading bowler in the domestic game. His form for the South African A side has also been outstanding," said Majola in a statement.

The South African team will leave for India on Friday.