(Reuters) – South Africa have made the decision to rest batsman Temba Bavuma for their upcoming white-ball series against India in light of his underwhelming performance at the recent Cricket World Cup. However, Bavuma will maintain his role as captain for the two-test series that kicks off on Dec. 26.
Bavuma, who was not in his best physical shape, expressed his disappointment after South Africa was eliminated in the World Cup semi-finals by eventual champions Australia. He served as the opening batsman during the tournament, but struggled to make an impact, averaging just 18.12 runs across eight games with a high score of 35.
Aiden Markram will take on the dual role of captaining both the Twenty20 and One Day International (ODI) sides against India. Quinton de Kock, a former captain who recently retired from ODIs, will skip this series to play for the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s domestic Big Bash competitions, which begin on Thursday.
Batters David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs have earned their first-time inclusion in the test squad, along with fast bowler Nandre Burger, who has also been selected for all three formats. Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder make a return for the test and ODI series. Meanwhile, premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been rested from the limited overs games to focus on playing domestic four-day cricket and prepare for the upcoming test matches. Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen will not participate in the ODIs for the same reason.
“We have a near full-strength (test) squad to pick from and that in itself is a real boost for us,” stated test coach Shukri Conrad in a statement from Cricket South Africa. “It is the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle and that itself is a huge incentive for everyone.”
The India tour will commence with three T20 matches in Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Johannesburg from Dec. 10-14, followed by three ODIs between Dec. 17-21, played in the latter two venues and Paarl. The first test will begin on Dec. 26 in Pretoria, with the second taking place on Jan. 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.
India’s T20 squad includes Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams.
The ODI squad consists of Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, and Lizaad Williams.
Finally, the test squad will be led by Temba Bavuma and include David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
