South Africa summon uncapped quartet

(GETTY IMAGES)

Uncapped quartet Jonathan Vandiar, Francois du Plessis, Dean Elgar and Ethy Mbhalati have been named in a preliminary 30-man squad by South Africa for next year's World Cup.

There are also recalls for opener Jacques Rudolph and all-rounder Johannes van der Wath, who have been ineligible in recent years after signing Kolpak deals with English county sides, while wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk is back in the frame.

Another veteran gloveman, Mark Boucher, is also named despite his recent omission from the one-day set-up.

Thami Tsolekile, who has three Test caps behind the stumps for the Proteas, as well as youngster Heino Kuhn, join Boucher on the list meaning there are a total of five wicketkeepers in the squad - with AB de Villiers the incumbent.

From the uncapped players, all-rounder Du Plessis ended top of the batting charts in the domestic 40-over competition where his side the Titans were beaten in the final.

The former Lancashire player scored 567 runs, including three centuries, while he also took 10 wickets.

Batsman Vandiar, 20, averaged more than 50 in his four outings for the Lions, while all-rounder Elgar, 23, was part of the Knights side that won the limited-overs final.

Titans seamer Mbhalati, 29, is a veteran of the domestic circuit and has been amongst the wickets in both the four-day and 40-over competitions.

"We indicated at the start of the season that we would reward players who performed well in domestic cricket," convener of selectors, Andrew Hudson said.

"There have been some highly impressive performances in the MTN40 and this has opened the door of opportunity for the likes of Francois du Plessis, Jonathan Vandiar, Ethy Mbhalati and Morne van Wyk among others."

Wicketkeeper Van Wyk, 31, who has six caps for South Africa, captained the Knights to victory in the one-day competition.

All preliminary squads need to be named by the end of this week with the final 15-man lists due by January 19.

South Africa are in Group B for the World Cup on the sub-continent, alongside Bangladesh, England, India, West Indies, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Full preliminary squad: Graeme Smith (Cape Cobras), Hashim Amla (Dolphins), Johan Botha (Warriors), Loots Bosman (Dolphins), Mark Boucher (Warriors), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Dean Elgar (Knights), Heino Kuhn (Titans), Colin Ingram (Warriors), Jacques Kallis (Warriors), Charl Langeveldt (Cape Cobras), Ethy Mbhalati (Titans), Ryan McLaren (Knights), David Miller (Dolphins), Albie Morkel (Titans), Morne Morkel (Titans), Wayne Parnell (Warriors), Alviro Petersen (Lions), Robin Peterson (Cape Cobras), Francois du Plessis (Titans), Jacques Rudolph (Titans), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Rusty Theron (Warriors), Thami Tsolekile (Lions), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Warriors), Jonathan Vandiar (Lions), AB de Villiers (Titans), Roelof van der Merwe (Titans), Johannes van der Wath (Knights), Morne van Wyk (Knights).