JOHANNESBURG — South Africa Test captain Graeme Smith was omitted from the 15-man squad to take part in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka next month, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced Thursday. The 31-year-old last played a T20 international in October 2011, but in July was named by CSA in a 30-man provisional squad for the global event. There was, however, a place in the squad for all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who has played just one T20 international for his country since May 2010. “We are confident that our squad will be very competitive and make South Africa proud. We have had basically the same squad together for the past year and many of them also produced stand-out performances at the Indian Premier League (IPL),” CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson said in a statement. The World T20 starts in Sri Lanka on Sept. 18 with South Africa drawn in the same group as the host and Zimbabwe. In an effort to gain some valuable match practice ahead of the global showpiece, the same 15-man squad will play a three-match T20 series in England next month. “The Proteas will also have excellent preparation for the World Twenty20 by finishing the England tour with three matches. They may be playing on a different surface to that they will find in Sri Lanka but they will be able to hone their T20 specific skills,” Hudson added. Squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. ‘WI confidence up' In Jamaica, West Indies team manager Richie Richardson and head coach Ottis Gibson have praised their side for its hard work after beating New Zealand 2-0 in the recent Test series. The Windies wrapped up the two-match series against the Black Caps Sunday with a second win, adding to their victories in the short-format Twenty20 competition and ODI series. The results have helped the Caribbean islands move up to fifth spot in the world T20 rankings while they are seventh in the equivalent ODI classification and Test table. Former West Indies bowler Gibson said in a statement released by the West Indies Cricket Board that the achievements were a result of their dedication and showed that the team was “on the right track” and gaining confidence. — Agencies
