Domestic Sensation Earns Maiden Call-Up As South Africa Announces Squad For Test Series Vs WI
South Africa announces squad for WI series [X]
Following an impressive run in last season's four-day domestic competition, Dafabet Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke earned a maiden call-up in South Africa's 16-man squad for the West Indies Test series, starting in August.
Matthew Breetzke earns maiden South Africa call-up
Breetzke will be looked in as a back-up batter following former South Africa captain Dean Elgar's retirement along with the likes of Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham. He brings in the experience of leading South Africa A in a four-day match against India A in December.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickleton has been named in the South Africa Test squad for the first-time since March 2023.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Marco Jansen has been rested from the squad.
"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," Test coach Shukri Conrad said in a statement.
The Test series will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship. It will be South Africa's first Test series in the Caribbean since June 2021, where they claimed a 2-0 win over the hosts.
South Africa squad for WI series
Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne