Rabada touch and go as South Africa name squad for first Test against Australia

South Africa have named a preliminary 18-player squad for the first Test of the upcoming three-match series against Australia on home turf. The South Africa Men’s selection panel has included Kagiso Rabada in the team as he continues to recover from his right hamstring injury. The right-arm speedster is gradually working his way back to match fitness and recently shared videos of himself bowling at an indoor net facility.

Kwena Maphaka, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi continue rehabilitating from their respective injuries and were therefore not considered for selection. However, the pace trio of Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje and Dane Paterson has made a return to the red-ball format.

Marques Ackerman, a 30-year-old middle-order bat, has earned his maiden Test call-up. The Dolphins batter has played 85 first-class games and aggregated 5986 runs, at an average of 48.66, including 16 hundreds and 31 fifties.

Meanwhile, Australia are at the top of the ICC World Test Championship points table. They have won eight out of 10 games and lost just two. Their points percentage (PCT) is 80.00%. The reigning WTC holders are second on the table with three wins and a loss after four games and have accumulated a PCT of 75.00%.

South Africa squad for 1st Test against Australia:

Temba Bavuma (C), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.

South Africa vs Australia Test series schedule