Tshabalala for Sri Lanka tests

CRICKET: Spinner Thandi Tshabalala was the sole new cap in a South African squad announced on Tuesday for two tests in Sri Lanka starting next month.

Tshabalala's 39 wickets in 17 first-class matches have come at a cost of 36.41 runs apiece.

Convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat said his selection was something of a necessary gamble given the need to carefully manage South Africa's resources in a hectic season that includes the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

"With a demanding season ahead of us, a pragmatic approach to managing player workloads will mean rotating our players through the season," Lorgat said in a statement.

"We have taken a bold step to include Thandi in our efforts to create more spin options. We want him to develop and gain experience with the squad, especially in sub-continent conditions," he added.

The 21-year-old Tshabalala is an off-spinner from the Free State who has enjoyed more success in limited-overs franchise cricket. He will understudy former South African vice-captain Nicky Boje in Sri Lanka.

Experienced top-order batsman Herschelle Gibbs returns to the squad after missing the last two tests against New Zealand in April and May due to a loss of form.

But leading batsman Jacques Kallis is absent after undergoing surgery on his troublesome "tennis elbow" injury.

South Africa - Graeme Smith (captain), Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Andrew Hall, Thandi Tshabalala.

JOHANNESBURG, Tuesday, (Reuters)