Parnell, Kemp Pay for IPL Injuries by Missing SA's Team for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20

South Africa had good news and bad news going into the selection room for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20.

wayne parnell graeme smith mark boucher ab de vill

The good news for South Africa is that the captain, Graeme Smith, is expected to be fully fit and raring to go for the Caribbean conquest, recovering from the finger injury he picked up during the 2010 IPL 3 for the Rajasthan Royals.

But two South Africans were not so lucky. Wayne Parnell pulled up with a serious groin injury even before he played a match for the Delhi Daredevils, while Justin Kemp pulled up with a back pain (some speculating it is a slipped disc) after bowling one ball for the Chennai Super Kings. As a result, both have missed being selected for the South African squad trimmed from eighteen to fifteen.

It is a bitter blow for both players at distinctly different stages of their cricket career. While Parnell would have been looking to build upon his short but impressive career, Kemp was looking like a revived man, bowling even after a back injury ruled that part of his expertise when he last played for South Africa. His performances for Kent, the Cape Cobras as captain earned him the limelight again after a brief stint with the ICL. This then comes at an inconvenient time for the all rounder, and disappointingly so.

Most of the rest of the squad pick themselves and Juan "Rusty" Theron had perhaps earned his luck and berth, especially after the Super Over for the Kings XI Punjab, in the same match that Kemp suffered the injury.

South Africa's coach, Corrie van Zyl, could not help reflecting on the near misses for South Africa, "I am delighted that we have Graeme Smith back from injury to lead us in this campaign. At the same time it is sad to lose players of the calibre of Wayne Parnell and Justin Kemp."

Albie Morkel keeps his place despite his recent indifferent form and will be threatened even less now that Kemp has been ruled out.

South Africa's team for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20:

Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Kallis, Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Juan Theron, Roelof van der Merwe

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