Cricket South Africa has named six uncapped players in the Proteas squad for the first two Test matches against England. The first Test starts at SuperSport Park in Centurion on 26 December while the second match at Newlands in Cape Town gets under way on 3 January.
Seamers Dane Paterson and Beuran Hendricks, batsmen Pieter Malan and Rassie van der Dussen, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, and wicketkeeper/batsman Rudi Second; have all been included in South Africa’s squad which will assemble for a training camp later this week.
#CSAnews @DanePaterson44, opening batsman @pieterm87, @Rassie72, fast bowler @Beuran_H13, all-rounder @dwainep__29 & wicketkeeper/batsman #RudiSecond have all been included in the Proteas squad which will assemble for a training camp later this week. #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/XyHvE3LWfC
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 16, 2019
According to CSA’s Independent Selector, Linda Zondi, the high number of uncapped players included in this squad is a reflection of their policy to acknowledge players who do well at franchise level.
Van der Dussen is third on the current four-day batting averages while Malan has been a consistent run-scorer and as a specialist opening batsman will provide cover for Aiden Markram.
In the bowling department, Paterson has been the second leading wicket-taker in four-day cricket this season, including a 7-wicket haul in an innings, with left-arm seamer Hendricks providing some variety.
Second provides cover behind the stumps and is also a capable top-order batsman.
England’s squad was put through their paces in their second training session at Willowmore Park in Benoni. The tourists lost their last Test series against New Zealand 1-0 after losing the opening match emphatically and drawing the second.
But their campaign will be boosted by fast bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood and top-order batsman Jonny Bairstow who return to their Test set-up following injuries.
Coach Chris Silverwood declined to comment about the recent drama at CSA, but they won’t be underestimating a battered and bruised Proteas team who will certainly be looking for retribution after their dismal three-match loss to India in October.
The visitors will play two tour matches before the start of the three-match series — one against a Cricket South Africa Invitation eleven on Tuesday and Wednesday and against South Africa’s A side starting on Friday.
