Petersen handed Proteas recall

South Africa have included opener Alviro Petersen in a 13-man squad for the opening Test against Sri Lanka, which starts next Thursday

Alviro Petersen has been recalled to South Africa’s squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Centurion, starting on December 15.

Petersen, who captained Glamorgan during the 2011 county season, has been rewarded for a string of impressive performances in South Africa’s domestic first-class competition and may be chosen to open the batting alongside Graeme Smith, with Jacques Rudolph moving into the middle order.

South Africa have also handed a first call-up to uncapped Titans seamer Marchant de Lange, although the 21-year-old is unlikely to play after dislocating his thumb.

Convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson said: “There is some doubt about whether he will recover in time from his thumb injury but, even if that is the case, he will learn a great deal just from being part of the national squad environment.”

Lonwabo Tsotsobe, JP Duminy and Paul Harris have all been omitted from the 13-man party, which will once again be captained by Smith.

South Africa squad for first Test against Sri Lanka: Graeme Smith (captain), AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (wicketkeeper), Marchant de Lange, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.