Duanne Olivier Returns As South Africa Announce Test Squad For India Series
Duanne Olivier was their highest wicket-taker in the domestic circuit this year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA), on Tuesday announced its 21-man squad for the upcoming 3-match Test series against India that begins on December 26.
The upcoming series will be part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 cycle and would be played at Centurion, Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively.
Glenton Stuurman and Prenelan Subrayen have been drafted back into the team while Sisanda Magala and Ryan Rickelton have received their maiden Test call-ups.
The famous trio of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Quinton de Kock, which was rested for the ODIs against the Netherlands are back for the Tests. One of the most exciting inclusions is of Duanne Olivier, who is making a comeback to the Test squad which will further strengthen their bowling.
Olivier, who last played a Test for South Africa in 2019, was the highest wicket-taker in the domestic circuit this year as has claimed 28 wickets from eight innings at an average of 11.14, with 5/53 being his best figures.
Dean Elgar will lead the side while Temba Bavuma will be his deputy with the series set to kick off on December 26.
“We as the Selectors are excited for the return of Test cricket. This format is very important to CSA and keeping it relevant and alive is one of the organisation’s priorities,” Victor Mpitsang, the Convenor of Selectors, said.
“We are really looking forward to the return of Dean Elgar and his men, it’s been a long few months since the last time we saw them dominate in the West Indies. We are confident in the team that we have selected and believe fully in backing the talent that we have unearthed and cultivated over the last couple of seasons and giving players the backing that they deserve when they have continuously done well over a significant period of time,” he added.
South Africa Squad
Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.
