On Monday, South African cricket coach Shukri Conrad revealed a 15-man squad which will include three spinners for the two Tests set to be played in Bangladesh next month.
As anticipated, it was on this day that it was announced that South Africa would play two Test matches at Dhaka and Chattogram.
The ruling was made after a South African assessment of the conditions in the country which was marred with political violence earlier this year where over 200 people died due to political violence in the country.
Senuran Muthusamy, a left-arm spinner, has been added back into the team for the first time since March 2023 and will join spinners Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt.
In total, there were only three specialist seamers – Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger and Dane Paterson – accompanying seam bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
According to Conrad, he has since spoken to Russell Domingo regarding the playing conditions in Bangladesh. Domingo is a South African who served as the head coach of Bangladesh from 2019 until 2022.
“We are likely to play three seamers maximum in Dhaka and Chattogram,” said Conrad.
“At this juncture it is likely to be Kagiso, Nandre and Wiaan as the all-rounder with Dane Paterson available if need arises.”
Conrad stated that it was furthermore probable that only two spinners would make it into the starting lineup. “We are fortunate that Keshav Maharaj is capable of bowling a large number of overs but Senuran will be available as a magpie.”
There were no other changes with Lungi Ngidi being the only player who was omitted from the squad that beat the West Indies Test series 1-0 in the Caribbean in August.
Conrad proclaimed that for South Africa to stand a chance of qualifying for the final in England next year, the team would need to win four out of their remaining five Tests in the current world test championships.
Bangladesh will then be followed by Sri Lanka and Pakistan when they return home and play two-match series against them in the South African season in December and January.
Conrad remarked that Bangladesh is likely to be a stiff competition after the recent victory over Pakistan, while Sri Lanka were genuine threats to reach the championship’s final match.
“World cricket is also encouraged in the fact that it is not just the big three,” noted Conrad.
‘Bangladesh will be match ready. They have beaten Pakistan and are playing tough opposition against India. This will be the last series for Shakib Al Hasan and they will want to send him out on a high but we will be there to try and spoil the party.
The South African team will meet in Pretoria on October 12 and leave for Bangladesh on October 15.
South African squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton (wkt) and Kyle Verreynne (wkt).
