(EAST LONDON) Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has taken over the South Africa captaincy for the 1st Test against Bangladesh, which starts in East London on Friday.

Boucher will lead his country on his home ground at Buffalo Park after Shaun Pollock was omitted in order to receive treatment on a knee injury.

It will be the fourth time that Boucher has skippered South Africa, he also captained the side in all three home Tests against Australia earlier this year.

Western Province will again be heavily represented with Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince and Paul Adams all being selected in the starting X1.

The only new cap is Northerns middle-order batsman Martin van Jaarsveld while Eastern Province fast bowler Mornantau Hayward is recalled to the team for the first time since the 2nd Test against Australia in Melbourne last December.

The convenor of the national selectors, Omar Henry, said: ''Van Jaarsveld is the form player at the moment and he has proven himself a consistent run scorer over a prolonged period.''

Van Jaarsveld, who was recently named as one of South Africa's five cricketers of the year, made his senior international debut in the second one day international against Bangladesh last Sunday.

The 28-year-old said: ''It is a great feeling to receive recognition at Test level. I have worked so hard for so long and suddenly, in the last two weeks, things have been happening.''

South Africa squad: Mark Boucher (Captain, Border), Gary Kirsten (Western Province), Herschelle Gibbs (Western Province), Graeme Smith (Western Province), Jacques Kallis (Western Province), Ashwell Prince (Western Province), Martin van Jaarsveld Northerns), Paul Adams (Western Province), David Terbrugge (Gauteng), Makhaya Ntini (Border), Mornantau Hayward (Eastern Province).

14 Oct, 2002