Cullinan recalled for New Zealand series

Daryll Cullinan has been recalled to a 14-man South African squad for the first three one-day internationals against New Zealand starting in Potchefstroom on Friday night.

He replaces Neil McKenzie in the only change to the squad that did duty during the ICC KnockOut 2000 tournament in Nairobi. Cullinan has had just one competitive provincial outing this season - he scored 39 off 36 balls against Border on Friday - but the selectors clearly believe that his wealth of experience will be of value against a New Zealand team that won through to the KnockOut 2000 final.

McKenzie did not get a run in Nairobi with Boeta Dippenaar being preferred in the number 4 slot. He can consider himself unfortunate, but in Cullinan's favour is the fact that he could be used to open the batting or be sent in at three, his preferred position in the one-day game.

Selection convener Rushdi Magiet was quoted was saying: "Neil's omission is not form-related, because he never had a chance to play in Kenya. We felt we needed more options with the opening position."

Squad: Shaun Pollock (capt), Mark Boucher, Shafiek Abrahams, Nicky Boje, Daryll Cullinan, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Roger Telemachus.

Also announced on Saturday was a SA President's XI to play against Bangladesh in three One-Day "Internationals". The team will be captained by KwaZulu-Natal's Dale Benkenstein.

Team: Dale Benkenstein (capt, KwaZulu-Natal), Ahmed Amla (KwaZulu-Natal), Mark Bruyns (KwaZulu-Natal), Charl Langeveldt (Boland), Albie Morkel (Easterns), Andre Nel (Easterns), Justin Ontong (Boland), Nic Pothas (Gauteng), Dewald Pretorius (Free State), Jonathan Trott (Boland), Doug Watson (KwaZulu-Natal), Charl Willoughby (Western Province).