CONTRACTED PLAYERS ANNOUNCED

South Africa on Saturday announced the names of the 15 players to be contracted to the Proteas for the period between May 1, 2008, and April 30, 2009. There are four newcomers – Nashua Cape Cobras batsman JP Duminy, Nashua Titans spin bowler Paul Harris, Chevrolet Warriors all-rounder Johan Botha and Nashua Titans fast bowler Morne Morkel. The contracted squad is: Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Ashwell Prince, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn

DIPPENAAR RETIRES

Proteas, Gestetner Diamond Eagles and Leicestershire batsman, Boeta Dippenaar, has informed Cricket South Africa (CSA) that he will retire from international cricket a the end of the 2007/8 season. In 38 Tests, he scored 1 718 runs at an average of 30.14 and played 107 ODIs for a batting average of 42.23. Dippenaar is also contracted to Leicestershire as an overseas professional player, whereafter he will continue to play for the Gestetner Diamond Eagles next season.

ONTONG IN SQUAD

In-form bizhub Highveld Lions batsman Justin Ontong has been recalled to the Proteas limited overs squad for the Standard Bank International Pro20 at the Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium on Friday as well as the first of five MTN ODIs against the West Indies at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Sunday. Ontong played the last of his 21 ODIs against India at Bangalore in November, 2005. This season he has scored more than 600 runs in first-class cricket. Proteas squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Charl Langeveldt.

STYEN FOUND GUILTY

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has been found guilty under Level 1 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct following an incident that took place during the third Test between South Africa and the West Indies in Durban. Steyn was reported by the umpires – on-field officials Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar, third umpire Brian Jerling and fourth official Zed Ndamane – and charged under the C1 section of the Code of Conduct which deals with breaches relating to the Spirit of Cricket. The penalty range for a Level 1 offence is between an official reprimand and a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee. For Level 1 offences, there is no right of appeal and the referee’s decision is final.

POLLOCK RETIRES

Shaun Pollock on Friday announced his retirement from all international cricket. The current Castle Test match at his home Sahara Stadium Kingsmead ground will be his last for the Proteas while he will retire from limited overs cricket after the completion of the Standard Bank International Pro20 series against the West Indies and the MTN ODI series against the same opposition. His final match for South Africa will thus be the final MTN ODI match at the Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, February 3. He will then bring down the curtain on his international career by fulfilling his contract with the Indian Premier League in April and May.