South Africa Playing 11 for the 1st Test against West Indies announced; T20 superstar to bat at No. 3
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South Africa have announced its Playing XI for the first Test of a two-match Test series against West Indies. The match will be played at the iconic Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
In a huge development, T20 superstar Tristan Stubbs is set to bat at the crucial No. 3 spot. This will be Stubbs' second Test match of his career. It will be a big opportunity for the youngster and he will look to cement his spot at one of the most difficult positions in Test cricket.
South Africa announces Playing XI for the 1st Test against West Indies
The batting order of South Africa looks more or less settled with Stubbs' promotion to No. 3 the only big change. Apart from Stubbs, the Proteas have opted for two wicketkeepers in the Playing XI as both Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton are playing.
Verreynne will take the wicketkeeping gloves while Rickelton will play as a specialist batter. Left-hander Tony de Zorzi, who was impressive in the Test series against India later last year, has retained his place in the Playing XI and will open the innings alongside Aiden Markram.
Skipper Temba Bavuma is back into the national colors and will bat at No. 4. Another player who has been impressive in his short Test career so far is the middle order batter David Bedingham. Bedingham has kept his place in the Playing XI and is slotted below Bavuma at No. 5.
Surprisingly, South Africa have opted for a long batting line-up with seam bowling allrounder Wiaan Mulder slotted at No. 8. Mulder is a batting allrounder who bowls medium pace as well. He can be useful in helpful conditions.
Another big surprise was the omission of the left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger, who was impressive in the Test series against India in 2023. South Africa have opted for just two frontline fast bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, with Wiaan Mulder as the third seamer in the Playing XI.
Keshav Maharaj is the only specialist spinner in the Playing XI with Aiden Markram also expected to roll his arm over at some point. Offspinner Dane Piedt has also missed out.
South Africa Playing XI for 1st Test vs West Indies
Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Ricklelton Kyle Verreynne (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
Shukri Conrad backs Tristan Stubbs to be successful at No. 3
Meanwhile, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has backed his new No. 3 in Tests Tristan Stubbs, and felt that Stubbs has an imposing character that will help him make the No. 3 spot his own
"Technique is obviously a big factor because you're going to be facing the new ball the bulk of the time. And he's quite an imposing character, a big, strong, strapping boy, and I quite like that. I like the fact that at the top of the order, there are quite imposing guys; guys that have got a good aura about them and strong body language," Condrad was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
South Africa are currently 7th in the points table with two wins and two defeats so far. Meanwhile, West Indies are lurking at the bottom of the points table with 1 win in 7 Tests.
