Shamsi called up to South Africa squad as Steyn rested

The left-arm spinner, who is representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, could win his first cap for the Proteas in the 50-over tournament in the Caribbean, which starts next month.

Seamer Dale Steyn has been rested, with Wayne Parnell coming into the squad for the first time since last year's Cricket World Cup. 

Uncapped Tabraiz Shamsi has been named in South Africa's squad for its triangular series with Australia and West Indies. 

The left-arm spinner, who is representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, could win his first cap for the Proteas in the 50-over tournament in the Caribbean, which starts next month.

Middle-order batsman Faf du Plessis is included but is expected to miss the first game of the competition against the Windies on June 3 because of a finger injury.

Seamer Dale Steyn has been rested, with Wayne Parnell coming into the squad for the first time since last year's Cricket World Cup. 

"We have opted for three specialist spinners as we anticipate the pitches in the Caribbean to be on the slow side," Cricket South Africa committee convener Linda Zondi said.

"Tabraiz has certainly earned his call-up following outstanding form both in our domestic cricket and in some of the major domestic T20 leagues including the Caribbean Premier League.

"He has shown what he can do in the T20 leagues against international batsmen. I am quite excited about the state of our spin bowling and the variety we have. We are sending two wrist spinners to the Caribbean plus left-arm and right-arm finger spin options.

"Spin bowling is becoming an increasingly important part of both limited overs formats and we are only just over a year away from the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England.

"In the short term our immediate focus must be to get back among the top-ranked Test nations and for this reason we are resting Dale Steyn for this tour.

"He is vital to our ambitions in the longest format and he is going to have a heavy workload in the months ahead with home and away series against New Zealand, a home series against Sri Lanka and an away Test series in Australia which is where we need to perform.

"He is certainly not out of the ODI picture and could well feature in the home series against Australia later this year."

South Africa squad in full:

AB de Villiers (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi.