Kagiso Rabada returns for Proteas

The Proteas are beginning to shift attention to their next challenge in the red ball format, and the good news is that Kagiso Rabada is well on his way to recovery.

The Test against Australia is scheduled to take place from 9-13 October at the Kingsmead Durban, and Cricket South Africa have confirmed that Rabada has been included as he continues his recovery from a right hamstring injury.

On Monday, the South African men’s selection panel has named a preliminary 18-player squad for the first Test.

“Having a larger bowling group gives us the flexibility to cover all bases. We have different options across the squad and the next week will give us an opportunity to determine which combinations are best suited to the conditions,” coach Shukri Conrad commented.

“We also want to give Kagiso every chance of being available for selection for the first Test, and the two-day (warm up) game will give us a clearer picture of where he is in terms of his match readiness.”

Rabada back in strong Proteas team

Dolphins batter Marques Ackerman is the only uncapped player in the squad, earning his maiden Test call-up following an impressive run of form for South Africa A (SA ‘A’).

The 30-year-old has amassed more than 1 000 runs in his last 10 red-ball appearances for SA ‘A’ at an average of 82.92, including four hundreds and a career-best 256 against Bangladesh A in August.

Fellow seamers Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi were not considered for selection as they continue their rehabilitation from their respective hamstring injuries.

Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dolphins), and Dane Paterson (Cobras) make their return to the Test setup.

Proteas Men’s Head Coach Shukri Conrad added: “We’ve selected a preliminary squad because we have an extended build-up to the first Test, with the group getting together in Durban on 1 October.

“We’ll have a couple of training days, a two-day intra-squad match and scenario-based training, which will give us an opportunity to assess the group and conditions before settling on our final 15.

“On the batting front, we’ve stuck with our core group. It’s great to have Marques in the squad. The way he has led the SA ‘A’ side, both as captain and through his performances with the bat, has earned him this opportunity. We’re looking forward to having him in the Test environment,” Conrad concluded just a day after the Proteas wrapped up an ODI series win over Australia.

Test squad – First squad

Proteas – Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Bedingham (YesPlay Cobras), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (YesPlay Cobras), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Anrich Nortje (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dane Paterson (YesPlay Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions) Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), and Kyle Verreynne (YesPlay Cobras).

Fixtures

1st Test – Friday, 09 – Tuesday, 13 October at 09:30

South Africa vs Australia – Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

2nd Test – Sunday, 18 – Thursday, 22 October at 10:00

South Africa vs Australia – St George’s Park, Gqeberha

3rd Test – Tuesday, 27 – Saturday, 31 October at 10:30

South Africa vs Australia – Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town