IND v SA 2019: Uncapped George Linde replaces JJ Smuts in South Africa squad for India T20Is

Quinton de Kock will lead South Africa in T20Is against India.

George Linde receives maiden national call-up | Twitter

Uncapped all-rounder George Linde on Thursday (September 5) earned maiden call up to the South Africa squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series in India.

Linde, who is currently in India for South Africa A matches, has been named as replacement of JJ Smuts, who was ruled out of the T20I series after failing to meet the fitness standards. Cricket South Africa has on Thursday confirmed in a release that Smuts "failed to meet the required standards of fitness" and was withdrawn from the Proteas’ T20I squad.

Linde, a left-arm spinner and a handy lower-order batsman, is currently playing in the ongoing one-day games against India A. He scored a quickfire 52* in the second game while 17 runs in the third game of the five-match series, and picked up three wickets in the three matches so far.

Since his debut for Western Province in 2012, Linde has featured in 75 T20s, in which he has scored 611 runs at a strike rate of 139.81, while taken 77 wickets at a strike rate of 19.3. The all-rounder was also part of the 15-man spin camp in Bengaluru last month – which was part of South Africa’s preparation for the A series and India series.

Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis will miss the T20I series as Quinton de Kock will lead the squad with Rassie van der Dussen will be in his deputy for the three-match series this month.

Noteworthy, South Africa will depart for India on Friday, 6th September for the T20I series followed by a three-match Test series starting from 15 September in Dharamsala.

Here’s South Africa’s updated T20I squad:

Quinton de Kock (c), Rassie van der Dussen (vc), Temba Bavuma, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 05 Sep, 2019

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