Maharaj and Mulder Make Their Way Into South Africa’s Test Squad for the Pakistan Series
South Africa has decided to include Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder in the test team squad for the upcoming test series against Pakistan.
Maharaj suffered a groin injury just before the first ODI in Paarl on Tuesday and had to be removed from the lineup right before the toss. He will have a scan on Wednesday to check how serious the injury is. The only other spinner in the squad is Senuran Muthusamy.
Mulder broke his right middle finger while batting against Sri Lanka in Durban last month. He is now in the final stage of recovery. If he is declared fit for the Boxing Day match, top-order batter Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad.
There are two new faces in the squad:
seam bowlers Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka. Bosch, the son of former international player Tertius, has received his first call-up to the national team. He recently played for a South African Invitation XI against the England Lions and took 1 for 21 in five overs.
Maphaka was part of the squad that played Sri Lanka as cover for Gerald Coetzee, but he didn’t play. He is currently in the ODI squad against Pakistan. Seven other Test players are also part of the 50-over squad: captain Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada, and Maharaj.
Rabada and Jansen played in the first game but may not play in all three matches as South Africa manages their bowlers. Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams are all injured and unavailable until next year.
In last 10 years, the South Africa was lost only one test match at SuperSport park, and that was against India. Now they are facing Pakistan at the same venue. If South Africa wins the Test match against Pakistan, it will confirm their way to the WTC finals.
Proteas Test Squad Revealed for Pakistan Clash:
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batsmen | Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs |
| Wicketkeepers | Kyle Verreynne (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk) |
| All-rounders | Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy |
| Bowlers | Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada |
South Africa vs Pakistan Schedule:
| Test | Dates and venue |
| 1st Test | 26-30 December, Centurion |
| 2nd Test | 3-7 January, Cape Town |