Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada named as South Africa name squad for 1st SA vs AUS Test
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South Africa have named preliminary squad for 1st SA vs AUS Test.
South Africa are preparing for an important Test series against Australia, with the first match set to begin in October. The series will give both teams a chance to test their players in the longest format.
The Proteas have now announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the first Test. The team will meet in Durban on October 1 and will have a few days to prepare before the match starts.
South Africa will also use this time to test different combinations. The squad has seven fast bowlers, as several of their regular pacers are dealing with injuries.
The biggest talking point is the return of Anrich Nortje, who could play Test cricket for South Africa for the first time in more than three years.
Anrich Nortje returns to South Africa’s Test squad
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Nortje has been named in the preliminary squad for the first Test against Australia. The fast bowler has not played a Test since March 2023 and has mainly played white-ball cricket since then.
His return comes at a time when South Africa are dealing with several injury concerns in their pace attack. Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman and others are unavailable due to injury problems.
Nortje could now get a chance to make his return to red-ball cricket if he is picked in the final 15.
Kagiso Rabada’s availability uncertain
Kagiso Rabada has also been included in the preliminary squad, but his availability for the first Test is still not confirmed.
Rabada is recovering from a right hamstring injury. South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad wants to give him enough time to prove his fitness before making a final decision.
“We also want to give Kagiso every chance of being available for selection for the first Test,” Conrad said.
South Africa will play a two-day intra-squad match during their preparation camp. The game will help the team assess Rabada’s match fitness and also decide which bowling combination could work best against Australia.
South Africa have kept most of their main batting group in the squad. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman has also earned his first Test call-up after scoring heavily for South Africa A.
Ackerman has scored more than 1,000 runs in his last 10 first-class appearances for South Africa A. He also scored 256 against Bangladesh A in August.
The first Test between South Africa and Australia will be played in Durban from October 9 to 13. South Africa will now use their preparation camp to finalise the 15-member squad for the match.
South Africa preliminary 1st Test squad against Australia
Temba Bavuma (C), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortjé, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.
Is Kagiso Rabada fit for the first Test?
Kagiso Rabada’s fitness is still uncertain. South Africa will assess him during the two-day intra-squad match.
How many fast bowlers are in South Africa’s preliminary squad?
South Africa have named seven fast bowlers in their 18-player preliminary squad.
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