Hamza, Paterson in Proteas team to face Bangladesh

Zubayr Hamza and Dane Paterson return to the Test setup at the Wanderers as South Africa make two changes to the side that beat Australia.

South Africa have named their playing XI for the first ICC World Test Championship game against Bangladesh, which begins this Sunday in Johannesburg.

Coming off a third-Test victory against Australia, the Proteas have opted for two changes to their lineup.

Returning to the Test side for the first time since February 2024, Hamza takes over the crucial No 3 spot. Paterson bolsters a pace attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder.

Gerald Coetzee drops out, while Anrich Nortje remains sidelined with a groin injury, even as off-spinner Simon Harmer retains his spot as the sole specialist spinner, following his 10-wicket match haul in the Cape Town Test against Australia.

Proteas XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.

Fixtures

First Test - Sunday, 15 November-Thursday, 19 November at 10am - DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Second Test - Monday, 23 November-Friday, 27 November at 10am - SuperSport Park, Centurion