Hayward to make comeback against India

Express pace bowler Mornantau Hayward will play his first Test for South Africa in more than a year when the hosts begin the first game of a three-Test series against India in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Hayward's place in the South African line-up was confirmed on Wednesday when uncapped swing bowler Charl Langeveldt was released from the squad of 12 players initially named.

Hayward, regarded as one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket just behind Brett Lee of Australia and Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar, has not played a Test for his country since the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August last year.

The 24-year-old, who has been timed bowling at around 150kmph, made his debut at the end of 1999 but has only played six Tests after failing to live up to his potential.

But his comeback was confirmed when Rushdie Magiet, convenor of the South African selectors, said in a press statement that Langeveldt had been identified as the 12th man in the Test squad.

"As such, we have decided to release Langeveldt to play for his province (Boland) in their SuperSport Series match against Western Province this weekend," Magiet said.

"It is important for South African cricket that he (Langeveldt) play as much cricket as possible and this would not be the case were he to act as 12th man in Bloemfontein."

Magiet added that a player from the local Free State union would perform 12th man duties during the Test.

South African team to play India: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Boeta Dippenaar, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock (captain), Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Mornantau Hayward.

Mail Cricket Editor