CSA Announce South Africa Squad For Sri Lanka Tests; Kagiso Rabada Not ‘Medically Ready To Play’

South Africa, on Wednesday, announced the addition of fast-bowler Migael Pretorius to their squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old from Vereeniging has had an exceptional season so far in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) 4-Day Domestic Cup under the coaching of former Proteas paceman, Allan Donald.

Pretorius, who plies his trade for VKB Knights, is currently third in the list of top wicket-takers, with 19 19 scalps from five matches and best bowling figures of 7/102 against the Dolphins in their season opener last month. Overall, he has 121 first-class wickets, as well as an average of 25.44 with the bat.

“We’re pleased to include Migael in the Proteas Test squad for the Sri Lanka series. We’re big on rewarding consistently good work and the player has done a lot to make a case for himself,” CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang said.

“We hope that this experience will be a great learning one for him and that this can serve as encouragement for players across the country, showing them that their chances may not be as far off as they think,” Mpitsang added.

In another development, CSA confirmed that Kagiso Rabada and Dwaine Pretorius have not yet been medically cleared to participate in the tour and in their absence, the rest of the pacers will have to step up.

Cricket South Africa also announced that Sarel Erwee, Glenton Stuurman and Kyle Verreynne have received call-ups for the tour. Former South Africa under-19s captain, Wiaan Mulder, makes a return to the national team after a period of prolonged injury kept him out of action. The Proteas will assemble in Pretoria on Saturday, 19 December to begin their preparation.

Erwee has had a good run in South Africa’s domestic circuit, recently smashing 199 for the Dolphins in the 4-Day Domestic Series season-opener against the Lions. He averages 60.28 with 469 runs in eight innings so far in the competition.

Stuurman is a right-arm medium-pacer and he has a record of 181 wickets from 46 matches at a bowling average of 21.28 for the Warriors in the domestic first-class competition. His best bowling figures of 7/12 are capped off by a high score of 81 from his overall 671 runs, making him a player to look out for in this format. Verreynne has accumulated 551 runs in 11 innings, at an average of 55.10, including two tons and three fifties for Cape Cobras.

The upcoming series will be South Africa’s first since the home series against England at the start of the year. The Proteas recently played their first series amid the pandemic when the hosted England for three ODIs and as many T20Is. Unfortunately, the ODI series was called off due to COVID-19 cases.

South Africa Test Squad:

Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius