South Africa call up young fast bowler De Lange

Marchant de Lange, a 21-year-old fast bowler, was yesterday named in South Africa's 13-man squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Centurion from December 15.


De Lange

Batsman Alviro Petersen and De Lange were added to the 11 who shared the honours in a two-match series against Australia last month.

De Lange, from citrus farming town Tzaneen north of Pretoria, has played in only 14 first-class matches but impressed with his ability to generate pace of 145kmh-plus from a relatively short run-up.

He took five for 56 for South Africa A against the Australians on a bowler-friendly pitch in Potchefstroom before the Test series.

It seems unlikely that De Lange will be in the final team, however, as he is recovering from a thumb injury which ruled him out of selection for a South African Invitation XI that plays the Sri Lankans in a three-day match starting Friday in Benoni.