Rabada in preliminary squad for first Test against Aussies

The South Africa Men’s selection panel has today named a preliminary 18-player squad for the first Dafabet Test against Australia, scheduled to take place from 9-13 October at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

Hollywoodbets 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.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been included as he continues his recovery from a right hamstring injury.

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 (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Dane Paterson (YesPlay Cobras) make their return to the Test setup.

Proteas Men’s Head Coach Shukri Conrad said: “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.

“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.

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

“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.

Preliminary Proteas Men’s Test Squad - 1st Dafabet Test

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

First Test - Friday, 9-Tuesday, 13 October at 9.30am - Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Second Test - Sunday, 18-Thursday, 22 October at 10am - Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Third Test - Tuesday, 27-Saturday, 31 October at 10.30am - YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town