 |  A player of his experience, skill and ability is difficult to replace but I fully understand his reasons for not playing |
South African batsman Gary Kirsten will miss the first Test against West Indies in Johannesburg. He has decided to stay at home with his wife, who is due to give birth to their first baby this week.
Kirsten, South Africa's record scorer with 6,866 runs, is likely to be replaced by Martin van Jaarsveld.
West Indies, meanwhile, have called up fast bowler Adam Sanford to replace injured Omari Banks.
The all-rounder, who has a stress fracture in his back, is the third player to be forced out of the tour.
Jerome Taylor (back) and Marlon Samuels (knee) have already been sidelined, with uncapped Dave Mohammed and Dwayne Smith called up to take their places.
The latter, from Barbados, is a surprise selection ahead of namesake Devon Smith.
The controversy is unlikely, however, to be as significant an absence of 36-year-old Kirsten, who has hit 19 Test hundreds for his country.
"It's disappointing to miss a Test match, but this is a rather different situation and my family must take priority.
"It is always a great thrill to represent my country, but I think any parent will tell you that the birth of their first child is one of the proudest days of their lives.
"I've played hundreds of cricket matches, but never been a father so I think its only right I should be by Deborah's side," he commented.
South Africa squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph, Martin van Jaarsveld, Garnett Kruger.
MMIX
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