Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday named the 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, which gets underway at the Gabba in Brisbane on 17 December. The three-Test series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.
Pacer Gerald Coetzee has earned his maiden call-up to the South Africa Test team after garnering 40 wickets at an average of 28.82 and a career-best 4-47 in his 13 first-class matches thus far. Also returning to the side was Theunis de Bruyn, who last featured for the national side in 2019. De Bruyn has played 12 Tests so far.
Also featuring in the South Africa side after a long injury layoff is Rassie van der Dussen, who missed out on the T20 World Cup 2022 due to a broken finger. Spinner Keshav Maharaj was also cleared for the Test series after he had sustained a low-grade groin muscle injury at the T20 World Cup.
Wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen replaces Ryan Rickelton, who has suffered an ankle injury, while Keegan Petersen misses out after suffering a severe injury to his hamstring in the CSA T20 challenge.
The squad will depart for Australia on 01 December and as part of their preparation, Dean Elgar’s side will play an unofficial four-day match against Cricket Australia XI from 09 – 12 December at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
National Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang said: "We are pleased with the group of players that have been assembled for this tour. I think the selectors now have a core group of Proteas that has been built and it is just about building on what we have."
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"There is a welcome return for our vice-captain Temba after his injury and we are also happy to have Rassie back too following his finger injury in England. I am especially excited about our pace attack, which is no doubt growing in stature and strength," he added.
South Africa Test squad against Australia:
Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Khaya Zondo.
Schedule for Test series:
17 – 21 December- 1st Test – The Gabba, Brisbane
26 – 30 December- 2nd Test- MCG, Melbourne
04 – 08 January- 3rd Test – SCG, Sydney
(Cricket South Africa inputs)
