Gerald Coetzee earns maiden call-up as South Africa announce squad for Australia Tests

Gerald Coetzee [Source: Twitter]

In a significant turn of events, Cricket South Africa has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series in Australia. Promising speedster Gerald Coetzee has earned his maiden call-up after impressing through the ranks in the domestic circuit. After debuting in 2019, Coetzee has scalped 39 wickets in 12 First-Class outings. 

The omission of Ryan Rickelton and comeback of Theunis de Bruyn mark another notable development. Veteran keeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has replaced Rickelton, who had a disastrous England tour earlier this year. 

Another key batter Rassie van der Dussen has recovered from the finger injury that cut short his tour to England earlier in the year and the subsequent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to take his place in the squad, while Keshav Maharaj is cleared for the tour. The spinner sustained a low-grade groin muscle injury at the T20 World Cup in Australia and is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. 

Meanwhile, as expected, top-order batter Keegan Petersen is also unavailable for selection after sustaining a severe injury to his hamstring during the CSA T20 Challenge final in Potchefstroom earlier this month.

South Africa Squad for Australia Tests

Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee , Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Khaya Zondo

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