The fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has returned to the South Africa squad for the first time since October last year for the WTC finals against Australia at Lord’s on June 11.
Kagiso Rabada, who has recently returned from a one-month suspension for recreational drug use, is one of the six fast bowlers in the side, which also includes two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy.
The Proteas bowling attack also includes bowling all-rounders Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch. Meanwhile, CSA has called out the players bound with IPL 2025 to return by May 26.
The IPL 2025 has been suspended for a week and BCCI has revealed the revised schedule which is set to be completed by June 03.
“There is a strong feel and overall balance to the top order where batters Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham all feature, while one of the key players in helping the Proteas reach the final, Kyle Verreynne, is named as wicketkeeper,” Cricket South Africa said in a release.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit, and this achievement reflects that progress,” said head coach Shukri Conrad.
“A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we’ve stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We’ve selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord’s”.
The Proteas Squad will assemble in Arundel on May 31 and will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 03-06.
The head coach Shukri Conrad has explained that he made his selections with fitness and form in mind.
“With regards to Anrich (Nortje), it didn’t really pan out the way we had hoped. He was due to play in the Centurion Test match against Pakistan and then sustained the broken toe and I don’t think he’s in any position, really, to be playing the Test match,” Conrad said.
“With regards to Gerald, he’s making his way back as well from injury and I just felt that with what Corbin had done for us in the series against Pakistan, that he provides really good cover. When I say cover, he might still make the starting XI.”
“Corbin’s not lacking in pace, so I don’t we compromised too much pace in that respect. I’m really happy what Corbin offers us and brings really good balance to our side as well. And that’s ultimately what we were after – balance.”
South Africa Squad for WTC Final: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne
