South African stars skip Test series to play IPL

South Africa have called up batsman Khaya Zondo to their Test squad for a two-match series against Bangladesh but have been forced to name a weakened 15-man squad

The Proteas will be without their frontline seam attack with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi to all play instead in the Indian Premier League as well as batters Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen.

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje is currently sidelined by injury and will reportedly not be fit to play in the IPL either.

It comes after an agreement between the players' union and Cricket South Africa to allow players to compete in the IPL instead of the Test series.

"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," Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang said in a statement on Thursday.

Speaking earlier this month, Test skipper Dean Elgar acknowledged the difficult position his players were in but urged them prioritise playing for their country.

"This is where you see where players' loyalty lies," he said.

"They mustn't forget that Test cricket or one-day cricket got them into the IPL and not the other way around.

"For me, it's about the bigger picture. It's about us playing as much Test cricket as possible. We're already playing so little Test cricket. We can't not have our best players around when the team is called upon to go out and perform.

"You don't want players to miss out on a big occasion like the IPL, by no means. But I'd still like to think playing for your country is bigger than that."

Zondo, 32, has played six one-day internationals for South Africa but gets his first Test call-up to provide cover in the middle order.

Keegan Petersen, who was the one of the heroes of the home series win over India at the start of the year, returns after missing last month's tour to New Zealand because of a COVID-19 infection.

The Tests will be staged at Kingsmead in Durban from March 31 to April 4, and St George's Park in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, from April 8-12.

Squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma,  Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo