Zondeki in line for SA tour call

Zondeki bowled well during the last South African domestic season

Fast bowler Monde Zondeki has been awarded a central contract by South Africa and looks certain to be selected for their forthcoming tour to England.

Zondeki, currently playing county cricket for Warwickshire, replaces Charl Langeveldt in a 15-man list.

Langeveldt turned his back on international cricket when he opted to join Derbyshire on a Kolpak contract.

His decision followed a row over racial quotas earlier this year, which led to him withdrawing from a tour to India.

"We are sorry to lose a player of Charl's calibre...he is currently playing the best cricket of his career," said Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola.

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"At the same time we are delighted that Monde has accepted the vacant contract."

Zondeki, 25, made his Test debut at Headingley during South Africa's 2003 tour to England, but has only made four further appearances in the intervening period.

If chosen for the tour, which begins at the end of next month, he will face fierce competition for a place in the Test side from Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel and Morne Morkel.

Fast bowler Morkel had to cut short a spell with Yorkshire after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this month.

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South Africa's contracted players: G Smith, H Amla, J Botha, M Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, H Gibbs, P Harris, J Kallis, M Morkel, A Nel, M Ntini, A prince, D Steyn, M Zondeki.