Cricket South Africa have included Temba Bavuma in South Africa A squad for the upcoming series against India A. With the South Africa team set to tour India for a two-match Test series that is part of the World Test Championship cycle, Bavuma, who captained them to the title, hasn’t been able to start their title defence in Pakistan because of a calf injury he sustained during the ODIs against England.
While the tour of Pakistan will definitely help the rest of the team to prepare for the spin-friendly conditions in India, Bavuma who has been short of match practice will turn out for South Africa A in the second match to be played at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
“Marques Ackerman will lead both sides (for one-dayers), with Test captain Temba Bavuma included in the squad for the second first-class match as part of his return-to-play program ahead of the Test series against India in November,” CSA said in a statement.
Apart from Bavuma, who captained South Africa to their first ICC title in the last cycle of the World Test Championship, South Africa have also included Zubayr Hamza and Prenelan Subrayan in the A squad. Both the players are currently part of the Test squad in Pakistan, where Proteas lost the opening Test by 93 runs at Lahore.
Having won a Test series in India in 2000, South Africa, under Graeme Smith offered a stiff challenge in successive series in 2007 and 2010 when they drew 1-1. But their last two tours haven’t been great, where they lost both the series by a 3-0 margin. This time, being the defending WTC champions, South Africa will arrive with genuine hopes as they have a strong attack at their disposal.
SA A head coach Wandile Gwavu said: “We’re looking forward to this tour and are eager to take on the challenge of competing against India in their own backyard. Our ability to play and bowl spin has improved significantly over the years, so playing in the subcontinent, which will be a first for many of the players, will be a good test. We’re definitely up for it as a team.
“It’s been a while since South Africa A last toured India, and playing there always demands adaptability and mental toughness. Gaining experience on subcontinent surfaces and learning to adapt to varying conditions, specially in the red-ball format, will be invaluable for our players as we continue to build towards future tours and potential Proteas opportunities,” Gwavu said.
Story continues below this ad
Apart from two four-day fixtures, South Africa A and India A will also feature in three 50-over fixtures in Rajkot.
South Africa A squad for two 4-day fixtures: Marques Ackerman (captain), Temba Bavuma*, Okuhle Cele, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Simmonds, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, and Codi Yusuf.
*Second match only
