Proteas turn to Theron for World T20

Juan Theron was the only new cap included in South Africa's 15-man squad while Graeme Smith was yesterday confirmed as the captain.

Juan Theron was the only new cap included in South Africa's 15-man squad for next month's World Twenty20, while Graeme Smith was yesterday confirmed as their captain. Smith, whose participation was in doubt due to a fractured finger, will return to captain the side in the April 30 to May 16 tournament in the West Indies, Corrie van Zyl, the Proteas coach, said. Theron, 24, earned his place after impressive performances for the Punjab Kings XI in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and for the Eastern Cape Warriors, who won the Twenty20 and limited-overs titles in the South African domestic season.

"One of the things successful teams in the World T20 are going to have to do is restrict teams in the last four overs and that's one of Rusty's [Theron] fortes," Van Zyl said. "He has won games for the Warriors because of his last and second-last overs and we need that type of bowler. He executes those skills best and he has shown in his elevation to the IPL that his mental strength and cricket awareness is very good, too."

Elsewhere, England have named uncapped Michael Lumb as well as the wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter in their squad, and recalled Ravi Bopara and Michael Yardy. Sri Lanka have called up Dinesh Chandimal, the uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman. Chandimal, 20, scored 320 runs at an average of 53.33 in Sri Lanka's domestic T20 league. Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand opening batsman, will return to international cricket for the first time in seven months after being selected in their squad.

Ryder was injured while playing for New Zealand at the Champions Trophy in September and missed most of the domestic season after undergoing surgery to strengthen his abdominal wall. * With agencies