Cricket South Africa has announced the 15-member squad to face India in the first Test in Cape Town that begins on January 5th. The squad is as strong as it could be which shows that the Proteas are all geared up to take on the World No.1 side.
Faf du Plessis, who missed out on the solitary 4-day Test against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth, has returned to the side. AB de Villiers, who had made a comeback to the longest format of the game against Zimbabwe, led the side in that game in the absence of du Plessis.
He also had to don the gloves as Quinton de Kock suffered a hamstring injury. Quinton de Kock has been named in the squad which gives an indication that he is expected to be fit for the first Test.
Dale Steyn had made a return to the squad for the Zimbabwe Test after recovering from a lingering shoulder injury but couldn’t find a place in the playing XI. It will be interesting to see whether he takes the field against India ahead of the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel or Vernon Philander.
Another notable inclusion is Chris Morris. The all-rounder had missed the Zimbabwe Test due to a groin strain in the RamSlam Finals. Duanne Olivier has been left out as a result of Morris’s inclusion.
India’s tour of South Africa was awaited for long and it will be a mouth-watering clash to watch the top 2 sides in the world go head to head. India have been invincible at home but their biggest test of playing overseas starts with the tour of the Rainbow Nation.
South Africa’s squad for the first Test
Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn
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