South Africa vs Pakistan 2018: South Africa Announces 13-Member Squad for the Test Series
Updated - 10 Jan 2019, 01:44 AM
South Africa have brought back fast bowler Duanne Olivier in place of injured pacer Lungi Ngidi for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan starting from December 26 (Wednesday).
Meanwhile, Ngidi sustained a ligament injury during the one-off T20I series against Australia after falling down awkwardly. As a result of the injury, he will be out of action for 12 weeks. Olivier, on the other hand, has five Test matches to his name. The fast bowler from Bloemfontein has picked 17 wickets in those fixtures, all at home. Moreover, he also boasts a sound first-class credentials of 361 wickets in 90 games.
“As unfortunate as Lungi’s injury is we are blessed to have outstanding depth in our fast bowling resources. Duanne has impressed on his previous appearances for the Proteas and has had a good franchise season to date with 20 wickets in his five matches at an average of 22.80,” CSA National selection panel convener Linda Zondi said.
“Before that, he had an outstanding season in the four-day franchise competition where he scored 823 runs, including three centuries, at the impressive average of 69,” he added.
South Africa have also named uncapped 23-year-old batsman Zubayr Hamza. The top-order batsman had a good tour of India with the A squad scoring a personal best of unbeaten 202 runs.
The Test series kicks off in Centurion on December 26, before moving to Cape Town and Johannesburg.
South Africa squad:
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn
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