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Nortje Returns as Rabada Misses South Africa’s Australia Test
South Africa picked its team for the first Test against Australia in Durban.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will not play because of a hamstring injury.
He trained, but the team decided he needed more time to recover.
Captain Temba Bavuma said Rabada may be ready for the next Test in Gqeberha, after medical clearance.
Anrich Nortje is back in South Africa’s Test team after more than three years away.
The team also chose two spin bowlers, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
Wiaan Mulder can bowl seam as well as bat.
South Africa’s XI includes a mix of batters, pace bowlers and spinners.
South Africa named Anrich Nortje in its XI for the opening Test against Australia in Durban.
Kagiso Rabada was left out because of a hamstring injury after training and bowling at the nets.
Captain Temba Bavuma said the team chose to give Rabada more time to recover, with a possible return in the second Test at Gqeberha.
Nortje returns to Test cricket for the first time since March 2023 and was selected ahead of Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee.
South Africa’s attack includes pace bowlers Nortje and Marco Jansen, spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, and seam option Wiaan Mulder.
- Who
- South Africa, including captain Temba Bavuma; Kagiso Rabada was omitted and Anrich Nortje selected.
- What
- South Africa confirmed its XI for the opening Test against Australia.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa.
- When
- For the opening Test; the article gives no match date.
- Why
- Rabada was left out because of a hamstring injury, while Nortje was selected to strengthen the pace attack.
Key facts
- Match
- Opening Test of the series between South Africa and Australia
- Venue
- Durban
- Rabada
- Omitted with a hamstring injury; South Africa hopes he may return for the second Test in Gqeberha, subject to medical clearance.
- Nortje
- Returns to the Test side for the first time since March 2023.
- Specialist pace bowlers
- Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen
- Spin bowlers
- Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer
- Additional seam option
- Wiaan Mulder
- South Africa XI
- Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje
Quotes
Temba Bavuma
South Africa’s captain
“We did go the conservative route to give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can be to 100 per cent fitness.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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