Mfuneko Ngam, the impressive 21-year-old Eastern Province fast bowler has almost been added to the South African squad for the last three Standard Bank one-day internationals against New Zealand, it was announced on Wednesday night.

The qualification is important. Ngam will not be a fully-fledged member of the squad, according to selection convener Rushdi Magiet. Indeed, his province will continue to have first call on the services and it is not at all clear if and when and for how long Ngam will link up with the South Africans.

"He’s been invited to be part of the scene," said Magiet. "He could spend one or two days with the squad."

It is almost certain that Ngam will not play, at least during this current series against New Zealand. As Magiet pointed out, as it is two of the 14-man squad, Andrew Hall and Shafiek Abrahams, have not had a game after three matches and it is difficult to see the circumstances in which they might be given a run.

As might have been expected after South Africa’s dominance of the first two matches, no changes have been made to the original 14 members of the squad.

Daryll Cullinan’s place was thought to be in doubt, but he has been retained, possibly as an opening bat, although where this leaves Boeta Dippenaar and Andrew Hall is not at all clear.

"We’ve been keen to have Daryll open," said Magiet. "But we had to work this through with Daryll first. He’s our most talented batsman, after all."

Squad

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

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