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Monday, 8 July, 2002, 13:57 GMT 14:57 UK
South Africa prepare for Morocco
Gibbs, Donald, Pollock and Rhodes
Donald and Pollock (centre) will return from England
South Africa have named a provisional squad of 18 players for next month's triangular one-day series in Morocco, also involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

There are no surprise names in the squad, more than half of whom will be working with coach Eric Simons for the first time.

But the announcement will provide a boost to veteran pace bowlers Allan Donald and Steve Elworthy, who were passed over for the one-day home series against Australia in March.

Coming after a decision to scrap racial quotas in selection, five of the squad are considered by the South African board to be "players of colour".

Players will attend a training camp in Centurion from 17-19 July.

But skipper Shaun Pollock, Paul Adams, Nicky Boje and Donald remaining in England to honour county and club commitments.


This is the first time cricket will be played at a serious level in north Africa
ICC president elect
Ehsan Mani
And the squad will then be trimmed, although a final number has not yet been agreed.

"Then they will have another 10 days or so in their provinces to refine things before we get together as a squad again at the end of July" said Simons.

"The first camp is also an opportunity for me to get together with the squad for the first time, so we can discuss issues together."

The former Western Province coach was recently appointed following the dismissal of Graham Ford, who paid the price for poor results against Australia.

New frontier

The competition will be the first in the north African country, with a brand new stadium in Tangiers gaining approval from the International Cricket Council last month.

The tournament has been organised by the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series, which deals with cricket in Sharjah.

Answering questions in a BBC Sport Online forum on Sunday, ICC president elect Ehsan Mani described the project as a bold step.

"Morocco has some cricket going on but not very much and this is the first time cricket will be played at a serious level in north Africa," he said.

"It's the first step hopefully of a long journey."

Provisional South Africa squad: S Pollock, P Adams, N Boje, M Boucher, B Dippenaar, A Donald, S Elworthy, H Gibbs, J Kallis, G Kirsten, J Kemp, L Klusener, N McKenzie, M Ntini, J Ontong, J Rhodes, G Smith, R Telemachus.

Tournament schedule (all August):
Mon 12: Pakistan v South Africa
Wed 14: Pakistan v Sri Lanka
Thu 15: South Africa v Sri Lanka
Sat 17: Pakistan v Sri Lanka
Sun 18: Pakistan v South Africa
Mon 19: Sri Lanka v South Africa
Wed 21: Final

See also:

08 Jul 02 | Cricket
16 May 02 | Cricket
05 Jul 02 | Forum
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