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Steyn rested for ODI tri-series

Proteas rest star quick for Caribbean tri-series, call up uncapped spinner Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa have "rested" star quick Dale Steyn from their one-day international squad for next month’s Caribbean tour to play Australia and the West Indies.

The Proteas have opted to leave Steyn behind for the Caribbean tri-series, following the 32-year-old’s recent struggles with a shoulder injury that saw him miss Tests against India and England.

Speaking to cricket.com.au last month, Steyn expressed his desire to continue representing South Africa in all formats of the game.

"(To just) play Test matches would probably be the wise thing, but I just want to play everything. I get 'FOMO' – the fear of missing out – so I want to play,” Steyn said. 

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Cricket South Africa selection committee convener Linda Zondi said the decision to leave Steyn behind did not mean the fast bowler’s one-day career was over.

"In the short term our immediate focus must be to get back among the top-ranked Test nations and for this reason we are resting Dale Steyn for this tour,” Zondi said.

"He is vital to our ambitions in the longest format and he is going to have a heavy workload in the months ahead with home and away series against New Zealand, a home series against Sri Lanka and an away Test series in Australia which is where we need to perform.

"He is certainly not out of the ODI picture and could well feature in the home series against Australia later this year."

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The Proteas are confident Faf du Plessis will only miss their first match against the Windies on June 3 after the star batsman was sent home from the Indian Premier League due to a broken finger, while Wayne Parnell has been recalled and uncapped spinner Tabraiz Shamsi included in the 15-player squad.

"Faf sustained a broken left ring finger during the IPL two weeks ago and had fixation surgery to repair the bone tip this Tuesday in Cape Town," Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee said.

"At this stage we are targeting for him to return to action for our second ODI against Australia on June 7."

Zondi said Shamsi, a 26-year-old left-arm wrist spinner from Johannesburg, had forced his way into the squad after an impressive domestic season.

He recently earned a call-up to the Indian Premier League to replace Samuel Badree, making headlines for his bizarre wicket celebration after dismissing Australia vice-captain David Warner.

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"We have opted for three specialist spinners as we anticipate the pitches in the Caribbean to be on the slow side,” Zondi said.

"Tabraiz has certainly earned his call-up following outstanding form both in our domestic cricket and in some of the major domestic T20 leagues including the Caribbean Premier League.

"He has shown what he can do in the T20 leagues against international batsmen.

"Wayne has the ability to become a quality all-rounder for us and, like Tabraiz, he is being rewarded for outstanding domestic form."

South Africa squad: AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi