Ntini will come back - Arthur

Makhaya Ntini was left out of the ODI squad to take on Bangladesh © Getty Images

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South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has played down the omission of stalwart Makhaya Ntini from the one-day squad to face Kenya and Bangladesh.

Ntini was a notable absentee from the Proteas’ one-day and Twenty20 squads named today, along with fellow pace bowler Andre Nel.

Arthur insists Ntini still has a role to play though.

"He is going to play a really important role in the Test team in Australia and we need to keep him fresh and fit," Arthur said.

"Also, we are starting to prepare for the World Cup in the sub-continent in 2011, and we need to start preparing young bowlers for that. We can't afford to take rookies to the World Cup."

Chief executive Gerald Majola added that Cricket South Africa was not expecting a political backlash for the decision to omit Ntini.

"As Mickey said, we have to protect him, but that doesn't mean that he won't play a part in the ODI team in the future,” Majola said.

“Makhaya always bounces back. I don't expect any political fallout because we have selected the right team for the job."

The door was also left open for Nel, who could still make the squad to Australia.

"We have named a 13-man squad for the two Tests against Bangladesh, but we will be taking a 14-man squad to Australia,” Arthur explained.

“We might decide to take another fast bowler, or else we will take an all-rounder. We still have to decide on that.

“So Andre is not out of the reckoning at all, and Ryan McLaren also has a chance to be part of the Test squad for Australia.”