Morris called up to South Africa's T20 squad

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Chris Morris, the 25-year-old bizhub Highveld Lions all-rounder, will make his first appearance for the Proteas in the unofficial T20 International Series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh next month.

The series takes place in Zimbabwe from June 18 to 24.

Faf du Plessis of the Nashua Titans has also been included in the T20 squad for the first time.

The squad will be captained by Johan Botha of the Chevrolet Warriors in the absence of AB de Villiers who is one of four players being rested. The others are Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

"The four players concerned have turned out in virtually all their games for their franchises during the Indian Premier League (IPL)," explained Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener Andrew Hudson. "In addition they are involved in all three international formats for the Proteas and this is the last chance to rest them until the end of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September and October.

"Du Plessis has been a stand-out performer for the Chennai Super Kings at the IPL and well deserves his T20 call-up. He has given us exciting, extra options by demonstrating his ability both at the top of the order and in the middle-order.

"Morris' selection continues our policy of creating international opportunities for those who perform outstandingly well at franchise level and this certainly applies in his case.

"He was the leading wicket-taker in the MiWay T20 Challenge (21 wickets at 12.6 with an economy rate of 6.8) and was also very effective as a lower order hitter with a batting strike rate of 200. He played a very significant role in getting the Lions to the final and this included stand-out bowling performances in the two league victories over the Nashua Titans - the eventual champions.

"We are also giving further opportunities to both Farhaan Behardien of the Nashua Titans and Dane Vilas of the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras who made their international debuts in the New Age Friendship Cup T20 International against India at the end of last season," Hudson concluded.

Proteas' squad: Johan Botha (Chevrolet Warriors, capt), Hashim Amla (Sunfoil Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Nashua Titans), Marchant de Lange (Nashua Titans), JP Duminy (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Nashua Titans), Colin Ingram (Chevrolet Warriors), Richard Levi (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans), Chris Morris (bizhub Highveld Lions), Justin Ontong (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Wayne Parnell (Chevrolet Warriors), Robin Peterson (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Chevrolet Warriors), Dane Vilas (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras).