Bavuma returns as Proteas name Test squad for West Indies.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad has named a 16-player squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies, which starts on August 7 in Trinidad and Tobago. 

It features a host of players who featured at the T20 World Cup, where South Africa made the final.

The two-match Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship, will be South Africa’s first in the Caribbean since June 2021, which saw them claim a 2-0 series win over the hosts.

Temba Bavuma is back and will wear the captaincy armband. All-rounder Marco Jansen has been rested for the two-Test series, while batsmen Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton have been included.

Seamer Dane Paterson and spinner Dane Piedt have also been selected.

“We are looking forward to returning to Test cricket after a busy period of limited-overs cricket over the past few months,” said Conrad.

“This tour is extremely important for us as we aim to improve our standing in the ICC World Test Championship. We have therefore selected our strongest possible squad and look forward to strong performances in the Caribbean.

“We have one new face in the squad, Matthew Breetzke, who is selected on the back of an excellent past season.”

“The decision to rest Marco Jansen was taken to allow for a conditioning period aimed at ensuring optimal physical and mental well-being given the season-long workloads.”

Four members of the Test squad are currently competing in the Major League Cricket (MLC): Aiden Markram (Texas Super Kings), Kagiso Rabada (MI New York), Ryan Rickelton (Seattle Orcas) and Nandre Burger (Seattle Orcas).

Players competing in the MLC final on 28 July will join the squad on 29 July.

Proteas Test squad against West Indies

Temba Bavuma* (captain, Lions), David Bedingham (Western Province), Matthew Breetzke* (Warriors), Nandre Burger (Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Tony de Zorzi* (Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans),Wiaan Mulder* ( Lions), Lungi Ngidi* (Titans), Dane Paterson* (Western Province), Dane Piedt (Knights), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Tristan Stubbs* (Warriors), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), and Kyle Verreynne* (Western Province).

*These players will attend a red-ball camp.

Proteas tour to West Indies:

Warm-up match: 31 July – 3 August – West Indies Invitational XI vs South Africa at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago (16:00 SA time)

1st Test: 07-11 August at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago (16:00 SA time)

2nd Test: 15-19 August at Guyana National Stadium, Guyana (16:00 SA time).

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