Cricket South Africa has announced its 16-player Test squad for the two-match series against West Indies next month, with Matthew Breetzke earning his maiden call-up. He showcased his talent during a four-day match against India A last December, where he captained South Africa A. In the recent domestic four-day competition, he scored an average of 46 while making 188 as his highest score; hence illustrating his preparedness to represent the country in international games.
The squad of 16 has also been joined by Ryan Rickelton, a wicketkeeper-batsman aged 27. Rickelton last played in the test cricket team when they played against the side from the Caribbean in March 2022. The return of Ryan Rickelton adds variety and depth to our batting line-up making him a reliable alternative to keep the wickets. On the contrary, the left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen who has taken a rest during this tour is not present in the squad. Jansen’s missing is a signal that Mulder will be the lone allrounder bowler in the team. It’s been a really long time since he last took part in his nation’s Test matches against the Windies; nevertheless, Mulder, like always will try to have influence in this next series.
In the series that is to be conducted Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi are going to be the leaders of the pace department for South Africa whereas Anrich Nortje, who turned down a central contract this year to concentrate more on T20 cricket, will not be part of it. Instead, their pace attack will be fortified by the return of Dane Paterson and left-arm quick Nandre Burger. These players are both very excited about playing at an international level.
In a written statement, coach Shukri Conrad said that they decided to rest Marco Jansen, aiming at giving him time to get in the right frame of mind and body because he has been working hard throughout the season. He added: “There is great importance attached to this tour for us just like any professional sports team will understand its importance based on where they want their position ranked under this kind of championship; hence we are focusing on only using our best team during the forthcoming Caribbean matches.” South Africa will then play against the West Indies in the first Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago from August 7-11 and then travel to Guyana for the second Test in Georgetown from August 15-19.
South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.
