Thami Tsolekile was one of three new players to be awarded a contract by Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the 2012-2013 season. CSA’s general manager of cricket, Corrie van Zyl revealed the names of the 22 contracted players for the year ahead at the T20
Challenge launch in Johannesburg on Monday.
The Lions wicketkeeper was named alongside Faf du Plessis and Jacques Rudolph, both of whom represent the Titans, as the three players rewarded for their efforts over the last year.
While the Proteas have embarked on their tour to New Zealand without a backup wicketkeeper to Mark Boucher, it is unlikely they will go to England in July/August without another keeper for the three Test matches.
Tsolekile’s contract indicates that he could be the man as it is the first time CSA have ever contracted a second wicketkeeper.
Boucher has been facing pressure to step aside, after occupying the position for 15 years, and has indicated that he may be ready to retire soon.
Tsolekile played three Tests for South Africa in 2004, after Boucher was controversially dropped, but he has not played at international level since then.
In the recently completed SuperSport Series though, Tsolekile had the fourth highest batting average of 59.50. He scored four half-centuries and took 27 catches and executed two stumpings.
Du Plessis topped the first-class log with a batting average of 85.57 and his innings of 157 helped build the foundation for the season finale, which saw the Titans lift the SuperSport Series trophy for the third time.
Making his international debut last year, he is also gaining a reputation as an outstanding fielder.
Rudolph is no stranger to South African cricket and, after taking a five-year sabbatical, his magnificent contribution towards the Titans could no longer be ignored and he was brought back into the Proteas’ fold in October 2011.
The two players previously contracted in 2011-2012 who lost out this time around were Loots Bosman and Ryan McLaren.
The 22 players on contract for the 2012-2013 season are: Graeme Smith, Imran Tahir, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Rusty Theron, Robin Peterson, Ashwell Prince, Vernon Philander, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Rudolph and Thami Tsolekile. – Sapa