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South Africa has announced a 16-player squad for their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan. The series begins on December 26th in Centurion.
Two uncapped fast bowlers, Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch, have been included in the squad. This comes as several other fast bowlers are unavailable for selection.
Maphaka, an 18-year-old, has already represented South Africa at the T20 international level. Bosch, 30, is the son of former Test fast bowler Tertius Bosch. He is yet to make his debut for the national team.
The squad also sees the return of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. However, both players’ inclusion is contingent on their fitness.
Mulder sustained a broken right middle finger during the first Test against Sri Lanka. Maharaj picked up an injury described by Cricket South Africa as “an acute groin strain”. This occurred while warming up for the first one-day international against Pakistan.
Maharaj underwent a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of his groin strain.
Should Mulder be ruled out due to his finger injury, Bosch, who boasts a first-class batting average exceeding 40, could be a potential replacement. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy is the alternative spin option if Maharaj is unavailable.
Victory in at least one Test match against Pakistan will guarantee South Africa a spot in the next year’s World Test Championship final. However, their bowling attack has been significantly weakened by injuries.
Fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, and Lizaad Williams are all currently sidelined due to injuries. The potential absence of Maharaj, South Africa’s leading spin bowler, would be a further setback.
“We head into this series with a clear focus, with a spot in the World Test Championship final being the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” South African coach Shukri Conrad said in a CSA statement.
The South African squad comprises Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper).
The first Test will be played at Centurion from December 26th to 30th.
The second Test is scheduled for Cape Town from January 3rd to 7th.
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