Big names return, Marco Jansen not included as South Africa announce Test squad for West Indies tour

South Africa, on Monday (July 8), announced their squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies. The Proteas will be visiting the Caribbeans for the series next month.

They have announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series. South Africa have given a maiden Test call-up to batsman Matthew Breetzke, thus rewarding him for his fine show in the domestic circuit last season. Breetzke had scored 322 runs at an average of 46, including a top score of 188 in the domestic four-day competition last season. He had also led South Africa A in a four-day match against India A last year.

Ryan Rickelton has earned a recall as well and will be linking with the South Africa Test team after more than a year. The 27-year-old played the last of his four Tests in March last year during the home series against West Indies. The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 165 runs in 4 Tests so far.

South Africa Test squad for West Indies tour 2024:

All the big names have returned to the South Africa Test squad after most of them missed the New Zealand tour earlier this year in order to play in SA20. On that occasion, the Proteas had named as many as eight uncapped players in the makeshift squad. Neil Brand had led the side against New Zealand but has failed to make the cut for the West Indies tour.

From the team that toured New Zealand in February this year, only three players have managed to make it to the squad for the West Indies tour. The players are - David Bedingham, Dane Piedt, and Dane Paterson. South Africa have also decided to rest allrounder Marco Jansen.

"We are looking forward to returning to Test cricket after a busy period of limited-overs cricket over the past few months," said South Africa Test coach Shukri Conrad.

"This tour is extremely important for us as we aim to improve our standing in the ICC World Test Championship. We have therefore selected our strongest possible squad and look forward to strong performances in the Caribbean.

"We have one new face in the squad, Matthew Breetzke, who is selected on the back of an excellent past season. The decision to rest Marco Jansen was taken to allow for a conditioning period aimed at ensuring optimal physical and mental well-being given the season-long workloads.

"Half of our squad will be part of a camp to be held in Durban next week," he added.

The two-match Test series between South Africa and West Indies will begin on August 7. The first Test is scheduled to take place in Trinidad and Tobago before the second game gets underway on August 15 in Guyana.

South Africa Test squad:

Temba Bavuma (c,), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi , Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne