Steyn, Ntini not to feature in Perth ODI

Steyn, Ntini not to feature in Perth ODIPerth, Jan. 28 : The South African cricket team management has decided to rest key pacers Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini in Friday''s fifth and final one-day international to be played against Australia at the WACA Ground.

According to The Australian, all-rounder Wayne Parnell, 19, and left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe, 24, will make their one-day international debuts for the Proteas.

South Africa''s bowling coach Vinnie Barnes admitted Steyn and Ntini wouldn''t have been rested had the series been tied at two apiece. But he said their omission shouldn''t be taken as a sign the Proteas were treating the game as little more than a practice hit-out.

``It''s just part of our rotation policy. We are looking long-term. We have to rest players, we are committed to that. We are not going to go into Friday''s game thinking about losing or taking it as an ordinary game, there''s a huge commitment from everybody," Barnes was quoted, as saying.

``We''ve got a couple of young players coming in who want to make an impact and secure their future so Friday night''s game is as important as the game we''ve just played,'''' he added.

Barnes said left-handed batsman Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who made his debut in the first one-dayer, was also in line for a recall.

But the 23-year-old, who made just four before being run-out by Ricky Ponting, must first overcome an ankle injury.

Doubts also surround the fitness of all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who batted in Adelaide but didn''t bowl due to a side strain. Barnes said Kallis would undergo a fitness test on Thursday before a decision was made on his availability.

South Africa would leapfrog Australia into top spot in the one-day rankings with a win in Perth. The Proteas lead the series three games to one. (ANI)

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