This is in line with the commitment given recently by Ali Bacher, managing director of the United Cricket Board. Bacher asserted the time had come for the national side to be more representative of the county's population make-up.

Adams, Ntini and Gibbs are already Test players and the inclusion of Telemachus, 25, who plays for Boland, would be seen as an acknowledgement that he has overcome temperament and injury problems.

Critics of Bacher's policy have accused him of weakening the quality of South African cricket at the top level for quasi-political reasons but in Peter Pollock, the convenor of selectors, he has a strong supporter of the cause.

The all-rounder Brian McMillan, one of South Africa's leading players in the seven years since the country came back to international respectability, will be one notable absentee. It is widely felt that his international career is now at an end.

Two stalwarts of South Africa's last tour of England four years ago, Dave Richardson and Fanie de Villiers, have announced their retirement and the opening bat Andrew Hudson is out of form and out of favour. The off-spinner Pat Symcox, who, at 38, has suddenly become a force with the bat, may be overlooked if the selectors prefer Natal's Derek Crookes.

At 21, Mark Boucher, the wicketkeeper/batsman appears to be the natural successor to Richardson behind the stumps but Hylton Ackerman, son of a former Northamptonshire player, is unlikely to make the tour despite a successful Test baptism of fire against Pakistan with Gerhardus Liebenberg being preferred and playing the role of second keeper.

Fourteen positions in Hansie Cronje's party have already been virtually settled, with Dale Benkenstein, Steve Elworthy and Mornantau Hayward, a 22-year-old hailed as an exciting fast bowling find, outside contenders.

South Africa play their opening game against Worcestershire on May 14 and play five Tests.