AUS vs SA: South Africa Announces 16-Member Squad For Test Series in Australia
Temba Bavuma & Keshav Maharaj return as South Africa announces 16-member squad for test series against Australia
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, set to get underway at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 17.
Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and their frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj have returned to the squad after regaining full fitness while wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has been added to squad in place of Ryan Rickelton.
In another major development, Gerald Coetzee has received maiden international call-up. He has bagged 40 wickets at an average of 28.82 and a career-best 4-47 in his 13 first-class matches. He is likely to be a back-up for the frontline pacers in the squad, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen.
Keegan Petersen ruled out of the series after suffering a severe injury to his hamstring in the CSA T20 challenge. National Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang opened up on the selection stating:
“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.”
“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.”
South Africa Squad for Test Series 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, Khaya Zondo.