South Africa rest Steyn for Sri Lanka tour

Johannesburg: Star South African fast bowler Dale Steyn was excluded from two national squads on Thursday for an 18-day tour of Sri Lanka.

The Proteas play five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches between July 20 and August 6 in capital city Colombo, Kandy and Hambantota.

"We are resting Steyn as we have a very important and crowded Test season ahead," Cricket South Africa selection convener Andrew Hudson told reporters here.

"We want to be absolutely certain that Dale, as the leader of our attack, is properly rested and fit.

"Graeme Smith could not be considered because of his long-term recovery process following surgery."

Steyn helped South Africa reach the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals in England last month, while a recurring ankle injury sidelined star batsman Smith.

The tour marks the debut of new Proteas coach Russell Domingo and he will be in charge of 16-strong ODI and T20 squads with 12 cricketers included in both.

Hashim Amla, Colin Ingram, Alviro Petersen and Robin Peterson play only in the five-ODI series spread over 12 days at three venues.

Henry Davids, recalled Imran Tahir, Wayne Parnell and uncapped David Wiese were picked exclusively for three T20 games over five days.

"David impressed when the national emerging squad toured Namibia, having previously done well in the Champions League tournament," said Hudson.

"We feel he is the sort of player who could make an explosive impact in the T20 squad."

Adrian Birrell has been named assistant coach to Domingo and Claude Henderson specialist spin bowling coach, and Allan Donald has been retained as specialist bowling coach.

Domingo was promoted after assisting former India World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten, who did not renew his two-year contract.

Squads

ODI: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

T20: Faf du Plessis (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, David Wiese.

India on standby for 2014 ICC World T20: Dalmiya

Kolkata: India are ready to host few matches of the next year`s ICC World T20 if Bangladesh are not able to meet the ICC`s August deadline to prepare two of the four proposed venues, BCCI interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said here on Thursday.

"We have given a guarantee that if need be, we will help them by having stand-bye venues," Dalmiya, who returned from attending the ICC annual conference in London on Wednesday, said.

"Two of the four venues -- in Cox`s Bazar and Sylhet -- in Bangladesh are doubtful. In case they are not able to get them ready in time, we are ready to host the matches," he added.

Dalmiya however said they were not "rejoicing" at such a situation.

"It`s a difficult situation but I`m not rejoicing. But we`re definitely there for them if we are informed six months` in advance."

India by the way will host three major world tournaments till 2023 beginning with World T20 in 2016, the second World Test Championship in 2021 and then the World Cup.

Dalmiya was excited to have got the major "share of the cake" and said, "It`s a good news that we would keep you busy in coming years."

"India would play a major role in the global events from 2016-2023. The credit goes to the BCCI. We have got the major share of the cake."

Having inspected the Bangladesh venues in June, the ICC`s International Development (IDI) board has set another inspection in August to take a final decision for the March 16-April 6 event next year.

According to an ICC statement, there`s concern regarding the progress of construction and improvements to playing facilities in Cox`s Bazar and Sylhet.

The venues need to be ready six months ahead of the tournament, including adequately meeting the accommodation requirements for the teams.

Among other decision in London, India again had its way with the Decision Review System (DRS), with no specific discussions being held on the issue.

"A lot was talked about DRS but it did not trouble us. The major point we took was DRS was not 100 per cent foolproof so there`s no point discussing about it.”

"The ICC held that the status quo on DRS should be maintained. But please note that only during a bilateral series DRS is implemented with mutual consent."

"It is in bilateral series only. We are not bulldozing anybody and we`re quite clear about it," Dalmiya concluded.