India’s two-day warm-up match against a South Africa Invitational XI at Willowmore Park in Benoni has been advanced by one day.
According to the original schedule, India were to play the match from December 14, but with the funeral of Nelson Mandela, the former South African president, set for December 15, the match will now start on December 13. This means that the Indian team will have only a one-day gap between the final One-Day International at Centurion (December 11) and the warm-up match.
Cricket South Africa announced that Stephen Cook, the Lions opening batsman, would lead the Invitational XI that includes several players who have had success in domestic cricket in recent times.
“As always, these matches against international touring sides offer the opportunities for players to show their worth at a higher level,†said Vinnie Barnes, coach of the SA Invitation XI. “Several of them showed outstanding form in the opening round of Sunfoil Series fixtures. Stephen and Stiaan van Zyl both scored centuries while Temba Bavuma fell just short. Beuran Hendricks, Hardus Viljoen and Stephen Harmer were among the leading wicket takers.†SA Invitational XI squad: Stephen Cook (captain), Temba Bavuma, Andrew Birch, Simon Harmer, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Eddie Leie, Chris Morris, Rilee Rossouw, Yaseen Vallie, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas, Hardus Viljoen
