Cricket: South Africa dump Prince as captain

Ashwell Prince has been dumped as captain of South Africa just a day after being handed the role. Photo / Getty Images

CAPE TOWN - South Africa have dumped Ashwell Prince as captain only one day after announcing the team's regular vice-captain would lead the side in the absence of injured skipper Graeme Smith.

Smith will miss next week's third test against Australia because of a fractured little finger and Prince, who had been unable to win a place in the side for the first two tests, had been recalled yesterday in a 12-man squad for Cape Town.

Chairman of selectors Mike Procter had said Prince, whose place in the test side for the home series against Australia had been taken by JP Duminy at No 5, would return as an opening batsman and skipper.

In a curious situation, South Africa hadn't named a vice-captain for the Johannesburg and Durban tests against Australia in the past few weeks with regular deputy Prince unable to force his way into the team.

"Cricket South Africa announced on Wednesday that it had decided to stand Ashwell Prince down as captain to allow him to concentrate on his new position of opening batsman," Cricket South Africa said in a statement.

"Jacques Kallis will now captain the team on a one-off basis in next week's third test against Australia."

Kallis, South Africa's all-time leading runscorer, also captained the side in the third test against Australia three years ago in Johannesburg when Smith was injured.

South Africa's 12-man squad for Cape Town includes Prince and the uncapped Imraan Khan as a new opening pair, replacing Smith and axed veteran Neil McKenzie, 33.

Inconsistent pace bowler Morne Morkel has also been dumped with his brother Albie Morkel and teenager Wayne Parnell competing for the vacant pace-bowling spot in Cape Town.

Prince missed South Africa's 2-1 series win over Australia in Australia in December and January because of a thumb injury and Duminy thrived in his debut series, scoring a match-winning maiden century of 166 in the Melbourne test in December.

- AAP