Louw added to South Africa ODI squad

Allrounder Johann Louw has been added to South Africa's ODI squad ahead of the home series against Kenya and Bangladesh, which starts with the first ODI against Kenya on October 31 at Bloemfontein.

"It was originally our intention only to add a 14th player to the squad as a replacement for Ryan McLaren after the Kenya matches," acting national selection convener Gerald Majola said. "But the fact of the matter is that neither Graeme Smith nor Dale Steyn is likely to play against Kenya which would leave us with only 11 players." In the absence of Smith, offspinner Johan Botha will captain the side.

McLaren had to opt out after Kent refused to release him from his Kolpak contract, Smith is suffering from a tennis elbow and Steyn had been hit by a mystery virus - he has since recovered from the illness. South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said: "I have been most impressed by Johann's commitment, training ethos and skills level during the two days of our training camp to date and I am delighted to have him in the squad."

Louw has played 115 List A games, both in South Africa as well for counties in England, and has picked up over 1000 runs and 150 wickets. He played for Northamptonshire in 2008, which followed a successful 2007-08 season at home with the Dolphins. Louw finished as his team's leading wicket-taker in the four-day, one-day and Pro20 (Twenty20) competitions, with 77 scalps at 16.68. In 12 one-dayers, he took 24 wickets at average of 14.62 and economy-rate of 3.92.

A release from Cricket South Africa said Steyn bowled in the nets at the De Beers Diamond Oval on Tuesday. However, Arthur felt he was operating only at 60% and expected the fast bowler to return for the one-off Twenty20 international against Bangladesh on November 5.

Majola, CSA's chief executive, will continue in his selection role till the recently-appointed Mike Procter takes charge from December 1 after fulfilling his duties as an ICC match referee.