The Proteas squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo has been announced, with five uncapped players hoping to make their debut for the national team. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Codi Yusuf, Dewald Brevis, and Prenelan Subrayen are all set to showcase their talents on the international stage.
Pretorius and Senokwane, both from the Titans, have been in exceptional form in the domestic circuit. Pretorius, at just 19 years old, had a standout season in the CSA 4-Day Series, scoring three centuries at an impressive average of 72.66. Senokwane also made a mark with two centuries and a total of 559 runs to his name. Both players recently made their debut for South Africa A against West Indies A.
Yusuf, the Lions fast bowler, has been a key player for his team, taking 23 wickets at an average of 22.39 in the previous season. His performances played a crucial role in Lions reaching the 4-Day Series final. Dewald Brevis, the second-highest run-scorer in the domestic competition, and Prenelan Subrayen, the off-spinner from Dolphins, complete the list of uncapped players in the squad.
Subrayen’s recent form was evident in the SA ‘A’ team’s victory against West Indies ‘A’, where he contributed with both bat and ball. The squad also sees the return of Zubayr Hamza, who last played for South Africa against New Zealand in February last year.
In the absence of senior players like Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada, coach Shukri Conrad is excited to provide opportunities to younger players. The tour to Zimbabwe will serve as a platform to expose these players to the challenges of Test cricket and assess their performance.
The Proteas squad for the series includes captain Temba Bavuma, along with other key players like Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, and Kyle Verreynne. The fixtures for the series are scheduled for 28th June to 2nd July and 6th July to 10th July at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
This tour marks the Proteas’ first visit to Zimbabwe since 2014, and the team is looking forward to the challenge ahead. With a mix of experienced players and talented newcomers, the Proteas will be aiming for a successful series against their African counterparts.
