South Africa Playing 11 vs West Indies - 1st Test, South Africa Tour Of West Indies 2024
Published - 07 Aug 2024, 02:30 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:17 AM
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South Africa takes on West Indies in a two-match Test series which is part of the WTC 2023-25 campaign. They last played Test cricket in February 2024 and lost the series to New Zealand. The first Test starts in Trinidad from August 7-11.
Heading into this series, the Proteas are placed seventh on the points table having won just one Test match out of the four played. They are on a three-match losing streak in their last three Test matches, one against India and two against the Kiwis.
They now play a two-Test match series each against West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan leading into next year. In six Test matches against three different teams, South Africa are up for the challenge. The Proteas won their previous Test series against the Windies 2-0.
Temba Bavuma will lead the side in this series. Anrich Nortje is not a part of this Test series but Bavuma still has the luxury of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Keshav Maharaj as part of his bowling attack.
Gerald Coetzee is unfortunately ruled out with a side strain uncapped fast bowler Migael Pretorius has been named as Coetzee's replacement.
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South Africa Playing 11 vs West Indies - 1st Test, South Africa Tour Of West Indies 2024
Temba Bavuma (C)
Bavuma will open the batting. He is the captain of the side. He scored 51 in the practice math to get some runs under his belt. The skipper has been inconsistent across formats for his side.
Tony de Zorzi
The southpaw made his Test debut against West Indies in 2023. He also played the Test match against India displaying some brilliant batting skills. Now is his big chance to score some heavy runs for his side.
Tristan Stubbs
Stubbs can slot in at three. There has been a lot of talk about using his batting potential in the Test format. He made his Test debut against India earlier this year.
Aiden Markram
The former Test skipper will slot in at four. He is the white-ball skipper of South Africa recently leading them to the T20 World Cup final. Markram is the most experienced batter in this lineup.
David Bedingham
The upcoming batter can slot in at five. He has displayed good technique and temperaments in the format in just four Test matches. He scored 74 in the practice match against West Indies Championship XI.
Ryan Rickelton
The middle-order batter can slot in at six. He made his Test debut in 2022 and has played four Test matches including the last against West Indies. He has a chance to make a mark in the first Test.
Kyle Verreynne (WK)
He will be the keeper-batter in the lineup. He has played 16 Test matches and is the third keeper-batter in the XI. He played his last Test match against India earlier this year. It was the second Test that the Proteas lost.
Keshav Maharaj
Maharaj will bat at eight. He is also the specialist spinner on the side. He is now a well-known cricketer who plays all formats for South Africa. He has played 50 Test matches and has 158 wickets in the format.
Kagiso Rabada
Rabada will lead the pace attack in the absence of Anrich Nortje. He picked up three wickets in the practice match and looked in form. He is nine short of 300 Test wickets.
Lungi Ngidi
In Nortje's absence, Ngidi will pair up with Rabada from the other end. He too played his last Test match against India earlier this year. He has 54 wickets in 18 Test matches.
Nandre Burger
Burger concludes the likely XI for the first Test against West Indies. He will bring in the left-arm element into the XI. He too made his Test debut against India earlier this year.
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