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Prince axed, Petersen returns

Image: Alviro Petersen: Test recall at the expense of Ashwell Prince

Alviro Petersen will replace Ashwell Prince in South Africa's team to face Sri Lanka at Newlands on Tuesday.

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South Africa confirm change to batting line-up in Newlands

Alviro Petersen will replace Ashwell Prince in South Africa's team to face Sri Lanka at Newlands on Tuesday. Petersen was dropped at the start of the international season as a result of Jacques Rudolph's irresistible form on the domestic scene. However, with both Rudolph and Prince failing to make their mark, the Lions opener has returned to the fray for the third Test against Sri Lanka. "It's not nice getting dropped from the national team," said Petersen.

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"To me it was just about focusing on one game at a time. Every time I played for the Lions, I was focused on that game, that day and that session and I think that really helped me a lot. Just to not focus too far ahead and not be grumpy about being left out." The 31-year-old responded well to the axing and continued to score runs, including a hundred last time out against the Titans while the Proteas were floundering in Durban. "I'm playing nicely at the moment and I'm pretty satisfied how I played in the last game but now I would like to build on that and play well for the Proteas," added Petersen. Prince's axing has been confirmed, with the 34-year-old having already left the squad to join up with his domestic franchise, the Warriors, but it is unclear who will replace him in the middle order. Both Petersen and Rudolph have played down the order at various times in their career but as of Sunday, Petersen said that a decision had not been relayed as to which man would open with skipper Graeme Smith. "To be totally honest I would bat number one to eleven just to play cricket for South Africa, so at this stage I'm happy to play anywhere," said Petersen.
Chandimal scare
Sri Lanka suffered a scare during their net session on Sunday when wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal was hit on the hand. Chandimal was taken to hospital to have the injury assessed.

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