Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada (Image Credit: Twitter)

Dean Elgar has announced that Kagiso Rabada will be available to start the first Test against England on Wednesday.

Rabada has been a dubious starter since injured his ankle during the previous T20I series against England, which forced him to miss the ensuing Ireland T20I series as well as the warm-up game against the England Lions last week.

Despite Elgar’s reluctance to declare the whole lineup that will take the field at Cricket City, the Proteas skipper was sure that Rabada will return to play his first Test since February in Christchurch.

Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar was named South Africa Test captain (Twitter)

I Think Kagiso Rabada Is Very Close To Full Fitness: Dean Elgar 

“KG has done really well the last few days. I think he is very close to being fully fit. It’s looking pretty good for us,” Elgar told the media at Lord’s on Tuesday.

He will have a bowl in the indoor nets if need be. If he has to do something today, and I’m sure they will push him, but if they feel that he doesn’t have to do extra work, then you will most probably see him in the final XI.”

Dean Elgar-Kagiso Rabada
Photo Credit: (Twitter)

To build a powerful Proteas seam attack, Rabada will most likely be accompanied by fellow fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi.

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The batting unit’s pick, on the other hand, is not a predetermined conclusion. The absence of vice-captain Temba Bavuma owing to an elbow injury has created a middle-order shootout between Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and Khaya Zondo.

TEAMS FOR LORD’S

England: Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Foakes (wk), Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Matthew Potts, James Anderson.

South Africa (likely): Dean Elgar (capt), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.

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