A former Southern Premier League cricketer has been called up to open for South Africa in Friday's fourth Test against England at Centurion.
Uncapped Stephen Cook, who played for Portsmouth in 2001 and Flamingo prior to that, made an unbeaten half-century against the tourists for South Africa A in a warm-up match before the series and looks set to replace the out-of-form Stiaan van Zyl.
Van Zyl has made just 69 runs in five innings at the top of the order, while Cook has scored two centuries and a 76 in his last three matches for the Highveld Lions.
The 33-year-old is the son of Jimmy Cook, who played three Tests for the Protea, writes Mike Vimpany.
Jimmy Cook, who played against India and Sri Lanka in 1992 and 1993,was Hampshire coach at the time his then teenage son spent a gap year playing local recreational cricket.
Cook, who plays for Highveld Lions alongside former Ventnor all-rounder Nono Pongolo,said: "This is a dream come true for me. I'm overjoyed."
"Stephen has been in excellent form this season and gives us another option at the top of the order," said chief selector Linda Zondi.
Dale Steyn retains his place in a 17-strong squad for Friday's match in Centurion, but is thought to be struggling with the shoulder injury that has kept him out of the past two Tests.
Quinton de Kock is also set to return as wicketkeeper.
He was ruled out of the third Test after injuring his knee while walking his dogs, but his replacement Dane Vilas has not been included this time.
South Africa squad for fourth Test against England: AB de Villiers (c), K Abbott, H Amla, T Bavuma, S Cook, Q de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, F du Plessis, D Elgar, M Morkel, C Morris, D Piedt, K Rabada, R Rossouw, D Steyn, S van Zyl, H Viljoen.
Uncapped Stephen Cook, who played for Portsmouth in 2001 and Flamingo prior to that, made an unbeaten half-century against the tourists for South Africa A in a warm-up match before the series and looks set to replace the out-of-form Stiaan van Zyl.
Van Zyl has made just 69 runs in five innings at the top of the order, while Cook has scored two centuries and a 76 in his last three matches for the Highveld Lions.
The 33-year-old is the son of Jimmy Cook, who played three Tests for the Protea, writes Mike Vimpany.
Jimmy Cook, who played against India and Sri Lanka in 1992 and 1993,was Hampshire coach at the time his then teenage son spent a gap year playing local recreational cricket.
Cook, who plays for Highveld Lions alongside former Ventnor all-rounder Nono Pongolo,said: "This is a dream come true for me. I'm overjoyed."
"Stephen has been in excellent form this season and gives us another option at the top of the order," said chief selector Linda Zondi.
Dale Steyn retains his place in a 17-strong squad for Friday's match in Centurion, but is thought to be struggling with the shoulder injury that has kept him out of the past two Tests.
Quinton de Kock is also set to return as wicketkeeper.
He was ruled out of the third Test after injuring his knee while walking his dogs, but his replacement Dane Vilas has not been included this time.
South Africa squad for fourth Test against England: AB de Villiers (c), K Abbott, H Amla, T Bavuma, S Cook, Q de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, F du Plessis, D Elgar, M Morkel, C Morris, D Piedt, K Rabada, R Rossouw, D Steyn, S van Zyl, H Viljoen.
