PTI

Durban, Jun 9: South African all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, has replaced Graeme Smith as captain for the tour of Ireland in a fortnight's time for matches against India and Ireland.

The convenor of the selectors, Haroon Lorgat, said on Thursday that Kallis had been appointed captain of the 14-man squad because Smith had not yet recovered from surgery to his left knee.

"The selectors want to use this tour as an opportunity to introduce some new players into the One-day Squad", said Lorgat.

"Following the World Cup and the timing of this tour it is an ideal time to develop new talent as we prepare for the future. Left handed batsmen, J P Duminy, as well as all-rounder team-mate Vernon Philander have been called up to the national team, as have batsmen Mornh van Wyk and right arm spin bowler, Thandi Tshabalala. Dale Steyn also returns to the One-day Squad."

Mornh van Wyk made his One-Day International debut against England at Lords in 2003. Duminy received his ODI cap in Colombo against Sri Lanka in 2004 and Steyn was bestowed his national cap against Australia in Melbourne during the 2005/06 season.

"The potential and performances of these players were carefully monitored in the past by the selection panel and now is the right time to introduce them into the national squad. Shaun Pollock, currently playing as a batsman in the Afro-Asia competition has also not been considered. Graeme and Shaun are key players and need to be carefully managed before the start of another demanding season."

All matches will be played in Stormont Cricket Ground in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast.

Team: Jacques Kallis (Capt), Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andrh Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thandi Tshabalala and Mornh van Wyk.