Nel to replace Bosman in South Africa squad

DURBAN, South Africa, Sept 5 (Reuters) Pace bowler Andre Nel will replace injured batsman Loots Bosman in South Africa's squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said today.

Bosman was ruled out after injuring his back as he dived into the advertising boards during South Africa's tour to Zimbabwe last month.

Selection convenor Joubert Strydom said the patchy performance of South Africa's attack against Zimbabwe had led to the decision to replace a batsman with a bowler.

''The T20 squad was selected before the tour of Zimbabwe and, as most critics have mentioned, the bowling department looked a bit under-done and we feel that this is the area of the team that needed to be strengthened,'' Strydom was quoted as saying in a CSA media release.

Bosman has been summoned to a disciplinary hearing by CSA following comments attributed to him in the wake of his withdrawal from the squad.

Afrikaans-language newspaper Die Volksblad quoted Bosman as saying, ''I'm tired of the lies'' today with reference to apparently conflicting medical reports over his condition.

The paper reported that the first specialist Bosman visited said he should recover in time for the tournament while a second opinion recommended he did not play for six weeks.

The date of the hearing has yet to be set, the CSA said in a statement.

Twelve teams will contest the inaugural 20-over world championships in South Africa from Sept. 11 to 24.

REUTERS PDT KN2248