South Africa gamble on Quinton de Kock

South Africa will gamble on Quinton de Kock's fitness at the World Cup, having named him in their final 15. De Kock is only expected to recover from his ankle ligament tear after South Africa's first two games, which will leave AB de Villiers to keep wicket initially and a spare batsman to open with Hashim Amla. Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien were both included for that purpose.
There was no space for left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe, despite indications he would be considered for a recall, with Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell being the extra bowlers. Ryan McLaren, who took over the allrounder role following Jacques Kallis' retirement, also lost his place.
JP Duminy, who has been nursing a knee injury and out of action since the second week of November, also made the squad. He said he hoped to make be back playing before the week is out, in the first Twenty20 against West Indies on Friday, after "a long, hard period of rehab".
Legspinner Imran Tahir and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso made up the spin department, meaning Robin Peterson missed out.
"It has been a process over the last 18 months, but we are happy with the squad we have," convener of selectors Andrew Hudson said, in an elaborate function in Cape Town to unveil the squad.
South Africa, placed in Pool B, kick off their campaign on February 15, against Zimbabwe, in Hamilton. The five other teams in their group are India, Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland and UAE.
Squad: AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn

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