Bosman out of Proteas' Twenty20 squad

DURBAN: A neurological injury has forced Cricket South Africa to drop flamboyant batsman Loots Bosman from its Twenty20 squad for the world championship, beginning next week.

The president of Cricket SA, Norman Arendse, said in a statement that they had to take the decision 'with deep regret'.

"It is with deep regret that we had to take this course. But the medical report left us with no alternative. Loots has had a stand-alone record in this form of the game in South African cricket and he was desperately keen to play," he said.

Arendse said the decision was taken after considering Bosman's long term interests.

"But we have to look at the bigger picture, particularly as it affects his long-term career. Neurological injuries can take on career-threatening proportions and, had Loots got hurt again in the tournament, he could have been put out of action for far longer than the six weeks' rest recommended by our team of medical specialists."

He said his replacement would be named in due course after getting approval from the ICC technical committee.