Proteas Upcoming Tours of New Zealand and Australia

“We have decided to rest some of our core senior players who are involved in all three formats," explained Andrew Hudson, convener of selectors. "It is the only opportunity we have to ease their workload in what is going to be a very busy and intense summer season."

The selectors have also named three new caps – Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw and Kagiso Rabada – in the Blue Label Telelcoms Proteas T20 squad for the three-match series in Australia which falls between the two ODI series.

"We all know that he (Rabada) has amazing ability and talent. He spent some time up in Zimbabwe with the squad, getting a feel of the Proteas set-up and the feedback has been really positive, particularly from Russell Domingo," added Hudson.

“We are very happy with the progress and momentum the team has established over the last couple of months, first in Sri Lanka and then in Zimbabwe,” commented Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener, Andrew Hudson. “We have another 13 ODIs (three in New Zealand, five in Australia and five at home against the West Indies) before we head to the World Cup to round off our preparation.”

JP Duminy will captain the Proteas for the first time while skipper Faf du Plessis is rested for the series.. Marchant de Lange will play his first T20 International in more than two years, having recovered from a succession of injury issues. Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will also be rested for the T20 series.

Philander missed the triangular ODI series in Zimbabwe through injury and now takes the place of Mthokozisi Shezi in the only change to the squad that won the series against Zimbabwe and Australia.

Kyle Abbott keeps his place while Beuran Hendricks remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury.

Castle Lager ODI Squad

AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla (vice-capt), Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw and Dale Steyn.

Blue Label Telecoms T20 Squad

JP Duminy (capt), Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Marchant de Lange, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw and David Wiese.

FIXTURES

NEW ZEALAND

21 October: 1st ODI, Mount Maunganui

24 October: 2nd ODI, Mount Maunganui

27 October: 3rd ODI, Hamilton

AUSTRALIA

5 November: 1st T20 , Adelaide

7 November: 2nd T20 , Melbourne

9 November: 3rd T20 , Sydney

14 November: 1st ODI, Perth

16 November: 2nd ODI, Perth

19 November: 3rd ODI, Canberra

21 November: 4th ODI, Melbourne

23 November: 5th ODI, Sydney

Post Triangular Series

TRIANGULAR SERIES

Faf du Plessis and Dale Steyn provided the individual highlights as the Castle Lager Proteas scored a conclusive six-wicket victory over Australia in the final of the Triangular Series in Harare on Saturday.

“There is no doubt that our ODI team is improving every day,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “Over the past 10 months they have enjoyed outstanding success with series wins over India and Australia, the two previously highest ranked sides on the ICC ODI rankings table."

“What has been particularly pleasing has been their growth as a team and the manner in which they have adjusted after losing legends to retirement."

“The path is now set for them to grow in stature as they prepare for more tough away series in New Zealand and Australia in October and November.”

Du Plessis received the Batsman of the Series and Man of the Series awards while Prosper Utseya received The Pride of Zimbabwe award.

LEADING BATSMAN & LEADING WICKET-TAKER

Faf du Plessis (SA): 464 runs. Highest score: 126. Average: 92.8. Strike rate: 98.51

Aaron Finch (Aus): 250 runs. Highest score: 102. Average: 50.0. Strike rate: 75.75

Mitchell Marsh (Aus): 222 runs. Highest score: 89. Average: 55.5. Strike rate: 96.52

AB de Villiers (SA): 215 runs. Highest score: 136 not out. Average: 107.5. Strike rate: 116.84

Hashim Amla (SA): 172 runs. Highest score: 66. Average: 34.4. Strike rate: 73.50

Dale Steyn (SA): 10 wickets. Best bowling: 4-35. Average: 21.30. Economy: 4.68

Nathan Lyon (Aus): 7 wickets. Best bowling: 4-44. Average: 25.71. Economy: 4.86

Prosper Utseya (Zim): 7 wickets. Best bowling: 5-36. Average: 25.71. Economy: 4.50

Ryan McLaren (SA): 6 wickets. Best bowling: 3-24. Average: 24.0. Economy: 6.0

John Nyumbu (Zim): 6 wickets. Best bowling: 3-42. Average: 31.5. Economy: 5.25

ICC RELIANCE ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS

Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings (as on 6 September, after England-India and Tri-Series.

South Africa's victory in the final of the Tri-Series on Saturday meant that India held onto the number-one position by a fraction of a point.

India and South Africa are equal at 113 ratings points. Had South Africa won all of their Tri-Series matches, then they would have claimed the No.1 position.

Australia entered the series in the number-one position but its three-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe cost it three valuable ratings points, which resulted in dropping to 111 ratings points. Australia needed to beat South Africa in the final to regain the number-one spot, but the defeat meant it finished on equal points with Sri Lanka, at 111. So Sri Lanka is ranked third and Australia fourth.

Du Plessis and Steyn, the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker respectively in the tri-series in Zimbabwe, moved up the ICC ODI rankings.

Du Plessis scored 464 runs by scoring three centuries and a 96 and was rewarded with a jump of 33 places to 11 in the list for ODI batsmen. If du Plessis scored another century, he would have become the first batsman to score four tons in a series.

Moreover, du Plessis is now the fourth South African batsman to feature inside the top 11 with captain AB de Villiers regained the No.1 spot from Hashim Amla, while Quinton de Kock slipped two places to ninth.

Taking 10 wickets for 212 runs, Steyn moved up one spot to number three in the bowling rankings. Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso also achieved career-best rankings. Tahir moved up 10 places to 26th position while Phangiso gained 28 spots and is now in 68th spot.

South Africa's next assignment will be the away series in New Zealand (ODIs) and Australia (ODIs and T20s) in October and November.

Global Softech Sixes Tournament

The Global Softech Sixes will take place from 4 to 7 September 2014, at SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa.

“This tournament is set to add a fun-element that might appeal to a broader audience, which, in turn might lure more fans and future players to the royal game,” said Jacques Faul, CEO of The Unlimited Titans.

The Global Softech Sixes tournament is sponsored by an emerging South African based ICT (Information and Communication Technology) company, Global Softech Solutions.

Each day will comprise of eight matches during which the various teams will compete. A final will take place on the second day between the log leader and the second team on the log. The daily schedule will start at 10:00 and the last match will end around 17:00. Matches will be 50 minutes each. Every batting team will be limited to five overs. Five of the six team-members are allowed to bowl one over each, a concept that will ensure frenetic action, power hitting and unrivalled enthusiasm.

Tickets will be sold via Ticketpro's and at the Venue. Ticket prices are R30.00 per day and a Four Day Ticket (grass or seat) will cost R100.00.

4 & 5 SEPTEMBER 2014

Six South African franchises will compete for a trophy and prize money

Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras

Sunfoil Dolphins

Chevrolet Knights

Bizhub Highveld Lions

The Unlimited Titans

Chevrolet Warriors

6 & 7 SEPTEMBER 2014

Six African nations will compete for a trophy and Prize Money

Kenya

Namibia

Tanzania

Uganda

Zimbabwe

South Africa

(A team of selectors will be present during these two days and a South African Team will be announced Friday evening.)

FIXTURES

All 32 matches will be live from 09:45 on SuperSport 2, 6 and 7.

4 September SuperSport 6

5 September SuperSport 2 & 7

6 September SuperSport 7

7 September SuperSport 2 & 7