November 06 Wednesday 2002
McKenzie, Elworthy and Hall return for SA

JOHANNESBURG: Batsman Neil McKenzie, veteran seamer Steve Elworthy and all rounder Andrew Hall have been recalled to the South Africa squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.

McKenzie, out of favour since South Africa's 2-1 home series defeat by Australia in March, returns after a big century against the Sri Lankans for South Africa A at the expense of Martin van Jaarsveld.

"Neil has shown good form lately and his century in Kimberley for the A side was impressive," national convenor of selectors Omar Henry said on Tuesday. Elworthy, 37, played the last of his two Tests against New Zealand in Wellington in March 1999, but has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and widely considered unlucky not to have had more chances at international level.

Hall, named as one of South Africa's five players of the year last month, returns after featuring in the home series against the Australians. 

The final team will be named on Friday, when the first of two tests starts. 

Squad: Shaun Pollock (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Andrew Hall, Claude Henderson, Makhaya Ntini, Steve Elworthy, Mornantau Hayward.