Australia to to take on South Africa in the T20 international by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	SM Harwood, DA Warner
Event:	Australia in South Africa 2008/09

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DateLine: 26th March 2009

 

South Africa and Australia will switch their attention from Test to the shortest form of the game when they play the first of two Twenty20 internationals at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday. For both teams it will be a last chance to assess their combinations before the World Twenty20 in England in June.

 

South Africa have named 15 players in their squad and selection convenor Mike Procter said every player would all play in at least one match. The second contest is in Centurion on Sunday. Australia have a squad of 16, which also includes the players for a five-match One-Day International series starting on April 3.

 

Two players, Victorian fast bowler Shane Harwood and New South Wales opening batsman David Warner, were selected only for the Twenty20 games. Only 10 of the South African players have also been selected for the One-Day Internationals. Australia decided to rest fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who played in all three Tests during the recent series. Both players had injuries during the season and it was felt best to rest them ahead of a demanding schedule which includes the World T20 and an Ashes tour of England. The absence of Siddle and Hilfenhaus provides opportunities for Brett Geeves and Ben Laughlin to make claims for more regular selection.

 

Australia won both Twenty20 internationals during South Africa's recent tour but South Africa have a 6-2 winning record at the Wanderers, including a two-run win against Australia three seasons ago. No Twenty20 internationals have been played at Centurion.

 

Squads :

 

South Africa : Johan Botha (capt), Yusuf Abdulla, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Johann Louw, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

 

Australia : Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Laughlin, Marcus North, Cameron White, David Warner, Shane Harwood.