Johannesburg, 28 September (H.S.): South Africa have included fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in their provisional squad for the three-match Test series against Australia, beginning October 9. A decision on Rabada’s availability for the opening Test will be taken after the intra-squad match scheduled for next week as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Rabada sustained the hamstring injury during winter training and is currently recovering from the setback. Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka have not been included in the squad as they continue their respective recoveries from hamstring injuries.

Anrich Nortje, who is no longer on a central contract, has been named in the extended squad. He is in contention to play his first Test since March 2023. A total of seven fast bowlers have been included in the squad. Gerald Coetzee is also part of the squad after returning to international cricket in the first ODI against Australia last week following an injury. He last played a Test in November 2024.

Besides Coetzee, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson will provide further fast-bowling options. Paterson was part of South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final.

Top-order batter Marques Ackerman is the only player in the squad yet to make his Test debut. Having scored more than 1,000 runs for South Africa A, Ackerman will compete with Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder for a place in the top three.

In the spin department, South Africa have included Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy. All three players featured for South Africa during the previous World Test Championship cycle. With conditions expected to offer assistance to spin during the early part of the season, and all three Tests scheduled to be played at coastal venues, South Africa could consider fielding two of the three spinners in their playing XI.

South Africa’s Test squad will assemble in Durban on October 1.

South Africa’s provisional squad for the Test series against Australia:

Temba Bavuma (Captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar