The South African Test side for the two-match home series against Bangladesh has been announced, however, the players who will be participating in the upcoming IPL 2022 season, have not been named, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Thursday.
The likes of Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, and Rassie van der Dussen were not included in the 15-man squad released by CSA.
IPL 2022 begins on March 26 while the first South Africa-Bangladesh Test is scheduled to begin on March 31. South Africa is also slated to play three ODIs against Bangladesh starting on Friday.
Eight players from that squad have IPL contracts. But with the series ending on March 23 - three days before the first match of IPL 2022 - it is likely that all of them will be available for selection.
CSA said they don't have the "liberty to refuse" players an opportunity to take part in the IPL.
"The team will be without its IPL players. CSA's current MOU with @SACAplayers states that CSA is not at liberty to refuse players the opportunity to take part in the IPL, as CSA and SACA look to balance the livelihoods and opportunities of players and their national duties," said CSA in a statement.
“The loss of the IPL players is not ideal, but we back the CSA system, its ever-growing pipeline, and most of all, the players we have selected," said CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang.
The absence of IPL bound players has led to middle-order batter Khaya Zondo earning his maiden Test call-up, and medium-pacer Lizaad Williams also found a place in the 15-member South Africa squad for the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh.
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Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton, who was one of the reserves for the series against India and New Zealand, is in the squad as is uncapped quick Daryn Dupavillon.
Anrich Nortje has missed out on the Bangladesh series with a longstanding back and hip issue. That also means there is no clarity about his availability in the IPL, where he is slated to play for Delhi Capitals.
(NDTV/ ESPNCricinfo inputs)
