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South Africa call up Imran Tahir for second Test with West Indies on Boxing Day

Image: Imran Tahir: Called up for Port Elizabeth Test

South Africa have called leg-spinner Imran Tahir into their squad to face the West Indies on Boxing Day after Robin Peterson was ruled out with injury.

The Proteas crushed the Windies by an innings and 220 runs in the first Test at Centurion Park with an all-pace attack.

But the Port Elizabeth pitch will suit a spinner, particularly late in the game, and slow left-armer Peterson looked set to start until he suffered a cut to his index finger on his left hand during fielding practice on Tuesday.

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Tahir, the only slow bowler in the squad, now looks almost certain to play.

It means a return to the side for the Pakistan-born bowler after he lost his place to Dane Piedt, also recently returned from injury, following the series in Sri Lanka in July.

South Africa have already lost wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for the series with an ankle problem, and JP Duminy’s comeback from a knee injury – pencilled in for Port Elizabeth – now looks like being delayed until the one-day series.

The West Indies have sent home fast bowler Kemar Roach and batsman Assad Fudadin after they too picked up injuries.

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The third Test will be played in Cape Town, starting on January 2.

Watch South Africa v the West Indies live on Sky Sports 2 on Boxing Day from 8.25am.      

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