Snubbed South African batsman Ryan Rickelton has hit out at selectors after he was on the list to tour Australia only to be omitted due to an ankle injury he feels is fine.
Rickelton has scored 133 runs at an average of 26.60 in three Test matches with a high score of 42, but has been in strong form domestically.
South Africa have a strong bowling unit, but are light on for batsman, with Temba Bavuma carrying a sore elbow into the tour, so the omission of Rickelton could come back to bite them.
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Rickelton was confused with how his snubbing from the team went down after a conversation with Proteas selection convener Victor Mpitsang.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around what’s going on, to be honest,” Rickelton told a South African cricket magazine.
“Just a couple of weeks ago I got a call from Vic (Victor Mpitsang) saying, ‘You’re down on the team sheet to go to Australia, but effectively there’s a cross next to your name. What’s going on?’.
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“I said, ‘Vic, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m fine and fit to play’. Long story short, he said he needed to get hold of the doctor to find out what’s going on.
“My ankle, at the moment, has probably been hurt for about three years, the surgeon reckons.’’
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South African coach Charl Langeveldt denied reports Rickelton could be a late inclusion in the squad as batting cover.
“(We’ve) got to stick to our 16, he’s been unlucky due to injury,’’ Langeveldt said.
“It’s unfortunate for him. He has been scoring runs at home but guys here have been scoring runs domestically.’’
The first Test between Australia and South Africa starts on Saturday December 17 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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