South Africa announce squad for Pakistan series

Shandre Fritz has been announced as South Africa's captain at the age of just 21. Fritz will take the reins for the five-match ODI home series against Pakistan which starts on January 20 and takes place in Pretoria.

She has vowed to play brave cricket and follow her male counterpart - and fellow young skipper - Graeme Smith by leading from the front. "I am not a big talker," the allrounder Fritz admitted, "but will try to lead by example. I am young and leading an inexperienced side, but there are some very old heads in the team, too."

One of those is the 17-year-old Johmari Logtenburg, who has been announced as vice-captain for the series. Logtenburg, a hard-hitting batsman of natural talent, already has considerable international experience under her belt, having played two Tests and 19 one-dayers.

There are four players lining up for their debut against Pakistan. Annelie Minnie, Marcia Letsaolo, Tricia Chetty and Sunette Loubser have all been included.

But there is no place for the up-and-coming wicketkeeper Yolandi van der Westhuizen of Western Province: while she was invited to the national training camp, she could not attend. Yet the national coach Noor Rhode expects her to be pressing for national honours and to put pressure on Chetty and Shafieka Pillay.

South Africa could also tour India in 2007. The BCCI have invited the South Africans over but the South African board has yet to approve the tour and offer funding.

Squad Alicia Smith, Annelie Minnie, Ashlyn Kilowan, Claire Terblanche, Cri-Zelda Brits, Daleen Terblanche, Johmari Logtenberg, Marcia Letsoalo, Shafeeqa Pillay, Shandre Fritz (capt), Sunette Loubser, Susan Benade, Tricia Chetty (wk).

Fixtures
1st ODI - 20 January (Laudium)
2nd ODI - 22 January (Harlequins)
3rd ODI - 23 January (Sinovich Park)
4th ODI - 26 January (Sinovich Park)
5th ODI - 27 January (Harlequins)