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South Africa have announced their 16-member squad for the three-match series against New Zealand starting next month. With two uncapped players, Heinrich Klaasen and Theunis de Bruyn are included in the squad. The 32-year-old Morne Morkel returns to the Test after missing the recent series against Sri Lanka, while there is also the inclusion for fellow pacer Chris Morris, who was sidelined due to injury. “Heinrich Klaasen was one of the top performers throughout the season and he is rewarded for his form by being included in the test squad,” said CSA selection convener Linda Zondi. “With Dane Vilas no longer available for selection, it was an opportunity to reward someone else. This will be an excellent opportunity for Heinrich and we wish him all the best.” The squad will depart for NZ on Saturday, 25 February ahead of the first test starting in Dunedin on 8 March. TEST SQUAD : Faf du Plessis (Capt), Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Aml...

England captain Joe Root has stated that he is experienced enough to lead England Lions, despite having just four first-class games as captain. Root, 26, was named as Alastair Cook's successor earlier this week after being given the nod by the ECB over the likes of Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad. Root is pretty confident that he has got the skills required to guide his team into a new era. "I've played 50-odd Test matches now and I think that counts for a lot," the Right-handed batsman told Sky Sports News . "I think it's very different, Test cricket to county cricket. I've added that responsibility of the vice-captaincy. "Even though I haven't been captain I've been trying to think like a captain to try to help Cooky out, and add value where I can to the bowlers or anyone in the team. I'd like to think that's how a lot of the guys will go about their business going forwards as well. "It feels amazing. It...

South Africa have retained their ODI squad for the tour of New Zealand starting next week. The same 14 players that has outplayed Sri Lanka in a five-match home series will leave for New Zealand the next day. However, the squad for three Test matches will be announced later this month. Cricket South Africa selection convener Linda Zondi said: "We are very happy with the way the squad has jelled over the past six months and consistency in selection is very important as we continue our build-up towards the ICC Champions Trophy tournament (in England in June). "New Zealand are playing very good cricket at the moment and as always will provide very tough opposition, particularly under their home conditions." South Africa ODI Squad: AB de Villiers (ODI captain), Faf du Plessis (T20 captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Ph...

Former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum has re-joined Middlesex as one of their overseas players for the NatWest Blast this summer. The 35-year-old is due to play up to nine matches and split his time with Caribbean Premier League which runs simultaneously throughout July. McCullum has scored 2140 runs with an average 35.66 in 71 T20Is for New Zealand. Middlesex have claimed the County Championship in 2016 for the first time since 1993.

Pakistan will travel to West Indies for a seven-week tour starting at the end of March, including two T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests in the Caribbean Island.   Full Schedule: March 31: 1st T20I, Port of Spain April 2: 2nd T20I, Port of Spain April 7: 1st ODI, Providence April 9: 2nd ODI, Providence April 11: 3rd ODI, Providence April 22: 1st Test, Kingston April 30: 2nd Test, Bridgetown May 10: 3rd Test, Roseau

Former Australian Test bowler Jason Gillespie has been appointed as assistant coach for Australia's Twenty20 campaign against Sri Lanka for the three T20 internationals in February. Cricket Australia have announced that the 41-year-old will work with Justin Langer, who was named as coach earlier this month. Gillespie has a vast of experience including five successful years as head coach of English county Yorkshire.  "I'm just buzzing to get this role. It really is an exciting opportunity and I'm humbled to be thought of by Cricket Australia in this regard," the Sydney born bowler said .  "With some players likely to be away in India it really will be a shop window for players from the BBL to showcase their skills and to show the selectors and the Australian public what they can do."  Gillespie has claimed 259 wickets in 71 Tests and 142 wickets in 97 ODIs for Australia.  The three T20s against Sri Lanka will take place at the ...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced its Test and ODI Teams of the Year.   The Englishman Alastair Cook has been named as captain of the Test Team, which includes four England players, three Australians, and a player each from New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and South Africa. ICC Test Team of the Year 2016 (in batting order) is: 1.     David Warner (Australia) 2.     Alastair Cook (England) (captain) 3.     Kane Williamson (New Zealand) 4.     Joe Root (England) 5.     Adam Voges (Australia) 6.     Jonny Bairstow (England) (wicketkeeper) 7.     Ben Stokes (England) 8.     R. Ashwin (India) 9.     Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) 10.    Mitchell Starc (Australia) 11.    Dale Steyn (South Africa) 12.    Steve Smith (Australia) India’s Virat Kohli has been named as captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year, which ...

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has been ruled out from the next year's 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking to ESPNCricinfo , the 33-year-old said he is likely to return in June 2017 with the IPL set to be played in between April and May, that means he will miss the franchise-based T20 league. Having undergone shoulder surgery last month, the pacer wants to give himself a long break and make sure he is completely fit before stepping into the ground. The Proteas star, who is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation – appeared in just one game in IPL 2016 as his side, Gujarat Lions, preferred West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo and Australia’s James Faulkner. With the ICC Champions Trophy gets underway on June 1, it’ll remain to be seen if Steyn makes himself available for the completion as South Africa aim to claim their first ICC tournament since 1998.

Australia have announced their unchanged squad on Thursday for the opener day-night Test match against Pakistan in Brisbane – starts from December 15. The remaining two Tests will be held in Melbourne (December 26) and Sydney (January 3). Pakistan will also be a part of five ODIs in Australia. Australia Squad : Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade

With the new Big Bash League season just around the corner, teams are finalising their squad before December 2 deadline. There could still be some big signings made in the coming week, there have already been a number of marquee moves has been materialised in preparation for the latest season of Big Bash League. Here are the top 5 signings so far: 1) Mitchell Johnson to the Perth Scorchers Former Australian pacer will join the Perth Scorchers for his first stint of the Big Bash League this season. 2) Stuart Broad to the Hurricanes The former England T20 captain joins the Hobart Hurricanes in an effort to trigger his white ball game, having not played for his country in limited-overs since the 2015 World Cup. 3) Chris Gayle leaving the Renegades West Indies infamous Chris Gayle has farewelled the Melbourne Renegades and possibly the entire BBL following his lewd remarks controversy to female journalist in 2015/16 season. 4) Sunil Narine to the R...