South Africa to call up Tsotsobe

Lonwabo Tsotsobe last played for South Africa in the ODI series against Australia in October © AFP

Left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe is expected to be added to the South African Test squad for the remaining two matches against Sri Lanka. Tsotsobe suffered a side strain before last month's series against Australia and was left out of the initial 13-man squad named to play Sri Lanka in Centurion.

Tsotsobe has not bowled since November 4 in a franchise one-day game but returned to the nets last week. He has started bowling again, although not at 100%, and will likely be assessed on Friday in Durban, when the South African squad regroups. South African team manager Mohammad Moosjaee told ESPNcricinfo that Tsotsobe's injury was classified a grade one strain and the latter parts of his rest time were more precautionary than in response to a serious ailment.

"Often a side strain feels worse than it is," said Moosajee. "When you have a side strain, you have to build up your bowling. So you start bowling at 50%, 60%, until 100% and if there is any discomfort you return to using less effort to minimise any damage." Moosajee and the national management have not yet had the opportunity to see Tsotsobe and gauge his readiness to make a comeback.

Tsotosbe last played a Test match in January against India and has only represented South Africa five times at Test level. He fared reasonably well against the then-No.1 ranked side in Test cricket and collected big scalps such as Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. His injury, coupled with Vernon Philander's explosive start in the game, cost him his role in the Test team.

Philander's record-breaking start to Test cricket means a place for Tsotsobe in the starting XI could be hard to find, with the third seamer's spot now sealed. However, Morne Morkel's concerning loss of confidence could be the opening Tsotsobe needs to wrest back his place.

Morkel, who has been demoted to first-change, went wicketless in the first innings against Sri Lanka and managed 1 for 36 in the second. Since having the new-ball taken away from him, he has taken nine wickets in three Tests, at an average of 31.11, slightly higher than his overall average of 30.28. He has struggled to find his rhythm and slipped back into the age-old problem of overstepping.

Although both captain Graeme Smith and bowling coach Allan Donald said they are not concerned about Morkel's problems and expect him to be back to his best soon, South Africa may choose to experiment against an underwhelming Sri Lankan opposition.