South Africa will tour Zimbabwe without several key players who played a major role in their recent ICC Test Championship triumph.
Regular captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada were instrumental in South Africa’s title win. However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe without several of their title-winning stars.
Bavuma has been left out of the squad due to injury. Markram, Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and Marco Jansen have all been rested for the series.
In Bavuma’s absence, spinner Keshav Maharaj will lead the South African side in the Test series.
Bavuma suffered a hamstring injury while batting in the Test Championship final against Australia. Despite the injury, he played a crucial innings of 66 runs. Thanks to Markram’s brilliant 136-run knock, South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets to taste ICC glory for the first time in 27 years.
Several players have earned their maiden Test call-ups, including Luan-Dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Cody Yusuf, Dewald Brevis, and Prenelan Subrayen.
While Lungi Ngidi will be rested for the first Test, he is expected to play in the second.
The first Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe will begin on June 28 in Bulawayo. The second and final Test of the series will also take place at the same venue, starting on July 6.
South Africa Test Squad:
Keshav Maharaj (Captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Khaya Zondo, Wiaan Mulder, Luan-Dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Cody Yusuf.
