The Western Province cricket selectors were forced to make four changes to the side to play Northerns Titans in an opening Standard Bank Cup in Pretoria on Friday.

Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis and Roger Telamachus leave for Kenya with the SA National team on Thursday and are replaced by Graeme Smith, Andrew Puttick and Allan Dawson. Paul Adams as expected has been dropped in favour of Claude Henderson. Not withstanding the loss of the national players WP still field a strong team with Graeme Smith expected to open the innings with Herschelle Gibbs. Neil Johnson is expected to fill the number three position with captain HD Ackerman coming in at number four.

On the bowling front Allan Dawson returns after missing thee pre-season matches due to illness (‘flu). He will share the new ball with Charl Willoughby.

The full MTN WP team is;

Herschelle Gibbs; Graeme Smith; Neil Johnson; H.D. Ackerman (Capt); Iloyd Ferreira; Andrew Puttick; Renier Munnik; Alan Dawson; Thami Tsolekile; Claude Henderson; Charl Willoughby; Ashwell Prince (12th)

Coaches: Vincent Barnes; Eric Simons

© CricInfo