Hashim Amla included in South Africa's World Cup squad

Hashim Amla, the right-handed batsman has been named in South Africa`s 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Thursday.

Amla has been an accomplished player for the South African team, having scored almost 8000 runs in the ODI format at an average of just 49.75.

But the batsman has been struggling for form over the past year. He has been bogged down by inconsistency, but his experience was hard to rule out for the selectors.

Amla`s inclusion meant that Reeza Hendricks had to be left out from the fifteen-member squad. The 29-year-old Hendricks had established himself as a potential replacement for Amla after recording a flourishing start to his ODI career.

Aiden Markram has also been included in the World Cup squad and as a result, the team now has three solid opening options (Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla).

The team will be led by Faf du Plessis and he will have plenty of bowling options as Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius have been included in the squad.

JP Duminy, who is currently recovering from his shoulder injury has also been picked up in the World Cup squad.

In the spin bowling department, Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi have been included and Duminy will essay the role of a part-time bowler.

South Africa's squad for the World Cup: Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi.

South Africa take on Sri Lanka and West Indies in the warm-up matches before the World Cup on May 24 and May 26. The team will face England in the opening match of the World Cup on May 30.