By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa have announced their squad for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord’s from 11-15 June.
Captain Temba Bavuma and batsman David Bedingham, who are overcoming respective elbow and toe injuries, have been selected.
The pace attack is spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson and Lungi Ngidi, who returns to the Test fold for the first time since October 2024. There is no room for Gerald Coetzee or Anrich Nortje.
The two frontline spinners in the squad are Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, with Dane Piedt missing out.
The bowling unit is bolstered by all-rounders Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch.
“I want to congratulate each of the players selected for this squad. It is a special moment for this group to contest the WTC final. Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit and this achievement reflects that progress, “said Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad.
“A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we’ve stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We’ve selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord’s.
“I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He’s put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball.”
The squad will assemble in Arundel on May 31 and play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3 to 6 before heading to London on June 7.
Proteas squad
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch.
Australia, meanwhile, have named a 15-man squad for the WTC final. All-rounder Cameron Green, who has not played Test cricket since March 2024, has been included. Specialist spinners Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann are also in the squad.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett.