So ended what the Northerns all-rounder termed as a ``very nerve wracking day'' as Peter Pollock, convener of the national selectors, rattled off the 15 names with Elworthy's name last on the list.
Little wonder that as one of two new caps with Roger Telemachus, the 33-year-old Elworthy wondered if he will get a chance to prove himself.
Yet, in a side of few surprises and predicted omissions, Elworthy joins his Northerns Titants teammte Mike Rindel whose batting form made him a certainty for the squad for the three-week tournament also invloving Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Barely an hour after South Africa had thrashed Sri Lanka by six wickets at SuperSport Centurion in the second test to win the series 2-0, the long wait for the tall, likeable all-rounder was over.
For Rindel it was ``exciting news'' and came after another season in which his limited-overs batting skills earned him more than 780 runs; it also comes three years after he was dropped from the side during the New Zealand tour and has not even sniffed a selectorial approval of his ability to scored limited-overs runs under pressure.
Yet if the selection policy thinking is to have two seperate squads the South African selectors produced one which has a distinctively ODI look about it to the teams which have gone through five home tests in seven weeks where they won three and lost one of the games.
Also recalled to the one-day squad for the slogs are Jonty Rhodes, Pat Symcox and Herschelle Gibbs, while Shaun Pollock retains his place along with Allan Donald. Out go Gerhardus Liebenberg, HD Ackerman and Paul Adams, which is not quite a surprise, although some thought need to be given to Liebenberg as a long-term answer to opening the batting.
One omission which surprises some is Dale Benkenstein, or is it that a captaincy role in Sri Lanka with the A side is a better option at this stage?
In any event Rindel, now 35, could also find himself a useful extra as a bowler as there is no other left-arm variety in the side and the spin duo of Derek Crookes and Symcox are decidedly defensive off-spinners. The first indication of a recall came earlier in the year when he was included, with Elworthy in the South African A side for the limited-overs series against West Indies A.
Telemachus could be the replacement for the injured Makhaya Ntini who is to miss the triangular series with a side strain. The Boland swing bowler was initially selected for the tour of Australia but missed out when he failed a fitness evaluation. It was the break Ntini needed.
Yet the squad is, from what we have seeen this half of the season, a more accomplished fielding side than either Pakistan or Sri Lanka with a better all-round balance.
Peter Pollock, convener of the national selection panel, felt the inclusion of the two Northerns players was justified on their limited-overs form while commenting that Pollock (jnr) would be ready for the series after a short rest.
As for Donald's selection the selectors' thinking was to give their pace ace a rest and use him, if necessary, once the side reached the final of the Standard Bank series.
``And if he is vital to our getting into the final we will push him in there as well,'' Pollock (snr) added. ``We would like to give the other three (fast) bowlers a chance.
``Allan has been consulted on this and he must tell when he wants to play. Also a lot alsos depends on Shaun's injury and how quickly he recovers. But we are not keen to over play Allan.''
Pollock confirmed that he and Hansie Cronje, the captain, will make the final choice of the team to play on a match by match basis.''
He also supported the selection of Elworthy and Rindel on the grounds of South Africa's committment over the next 16 months which would also include the World Cup in England.
``We (the selectors) are very keen to see, in terms of the World Cup (next year) how Mike Rindel and Steve Elworthy shape in this company,'' he added when saying that claims of a youth policy was not ``essentially correct'' regarding team selection policy.
Elworthy's view on his selection was one of mixed feelings and emotions.
``There have been many times you get so close and you don't make it that you start wondering if it will ever happen,'' he admitted. ``I have been disappointed so many times. But now I am in it's nice to know that I'll get a chance to play. ... I can tell you, it's been a nerve wracking day.''
The squad is: Hansie Cronje (capt), Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Mike Rindel, Daryll Culliann, Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Lance KLusener, Derek Crookes, Pat Symcox, Roger Telemachus, Allan Donald, Steve Elworthy