Sports · Cricket · 8 hrs ago
South Africa coach seeks settled batting order for Bangladesh and England Tests
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad wants a settled batting order for the home Tests against Bangladesh and England.
The first Test against Bangladesh begins in Johannesburg on Sunday, with a second match to follow.
Tony de Zorzi or Zubayr Hamza will take No.
3, replacing David Bedingham, who held the spot against Australia.
Conrad said he does not want to keep changing the batting line-up after every series and expects the top seven to stay largely unchanged through the England tour.
South Africa comes off a 2-1 Test series win over Australia, a result that put it top of the Test rankings and on course to defend its World Test Championship title.
Fast bowling could be crucial on the Highveld, where South Africa expects conditions to suit pace and says Bangladesh now has a stronger fast-bowling attack.
The team will play two Tests against Bangladesh before hosting England for three Tests starting in mid-December.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad wants a settled batting order for the Bangladesh and England Test series.
South Africa dropped David Bedingham from No. 3 after he played there in all three Tests against Australia.
Conrad said Tony de Zorzi or Zubayr Hamza would replace Bedingham.
He expects the top seven to remain largely unchanged through the end of the England tour.
South Africa’s first Test against Bangladesh begins in Johannesburg on Sunday.
- Who
- South Africa coach Shukri Conrad and the national Test team.
- What
- Conrad wants continuity in the batting order for the Bangladesh and England Tests.
- When
- The Bangladesh series begins on Sunday; the England home series begins in mid-December.
- Where
- The first Bangladesh Test is in Johannesburg. Bangladesh Tests will be played in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
- Why
- Conrad wants to settle the batting order and avoid changing it after every series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
South Africa dropped David Bedingham, who had played at No. 3 in all three Tests.
Conrad said he would choose Tony de Zorzi or Zubayr Hamza to replace Bedingham.
South Africa’s first Test against Bangladesh is due to begin in Johannesburg.
South Africa’s three-Test home series against England is due to begin.
- Australia series result
- South Africa won 2-1
- Dropped batter
- David Bedingham
- Candidates for No. 3
- Tony de Zorzi and Zubayr Hamza
- Bangladesh series
- Two Tests
- England home series
- Three Tests, beginning in mid-December
3 sources
What people are saying
The last thing I want to do is create … what would look like from the outside … as if it’s a bit of a revolving door in the No. 3 position. It definitely isn’t that
I want to settle the batting order
We’re going to give these guys a good run now, don’t want to be chopping and changing after every series