South Africa include three uncapped players in their squad for Sri Lanka Tests
There were doubts over the series after the ODI series between the Proteas and England was called off on medical grounds.
South Africa have announced their Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at home. After a lot of speculation, the series finally got the go-ahead from the Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday (December 10) and consequently, the series will take place as originally scheduled. There were doubts over the series after the ODI series between the Proteas and England was called off on medical grounds.
There was an apparent breach of bio-bubble in the England camp as several individuals tested positive for COVID-19. But Sri Lanka Cricket and Cricket South Africa finally agreed to go ahead with the Test series. The first Test is scheduled to get underway on Boxing Day (26 December) with the second set to start on 3 January 2021 at the Wanderers.
South Africa’s squad
South Africa have named three uncapped players – opening batsman Sarel Erwee, wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne and medium-pacer Glenton Stuurman – in their squad for the forthcoming series. The Proteas will also have a new captain in place as limited-overs captain Quinton de Kock has been given charge of the team in a temporary capacity.
South Africa will be without their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and allrounder Dwaine Pretorius. Both the players are sidelined with injuries. Pretorius was ruled out of the recent white-ball series against England with a hamstring concern while Rabada picked up a groin strain during the T20Is. CSA, in a statement, stated that the pair would both be assessed in the coming days to determine if they could be added to the squad.
Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje will be leading the pace attack. In the spin department, South Africa have named just one specialist in the form of Keshav Maharaj. In the batting department, Aiden Markram will return to the top of the order after missing most of the last summer with a hand injury. Markram leads the domestic run-scorers’ list, with three hundreds from his last three innings. He will replace Pieter Malan who has not been named in the squad.
South Africa squad for Sri Lanka Tests:
Quinton de Kock (capt & wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne.
Download Our App