Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the inclusion of batsman Tristan Stubbs in the Proteas Test squad for the first time, along with the return of Kyle Verreynne.
The squads for the upcoming all-format home series against India, scheduled from December 10 to January 7, were named today. This series, known as the Freedom Series, features three T20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches.
Three players from Western Province, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Bedingham, and Nandre Burger, have received their first national call-ups. Burger, a fast bowler, has been selected for all three formats following an exceptional season. Bedingham joins the Test squad, while all-rounder Mpongwana has been chosen for the ODI squad after a successful campaign in the CSA Division 1 One-Day Cup.
Tristan Stubbs, the Warriors batsman, makes his debut in the Test squad. The 23-year-old, already experienced in white-ball cricket, recently shone with a score of 130 in the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series and a century against Sri Lanka A earlier in the year.
Kyle Verreynne, the wicket-keeper from Province, rejoins both the ODI and Test squads. Verreynne last played in the Test series against Australia in January and has since led his team to the One-Day Cup title, scoring 275 runs in three matches this season.
Noteworthy inclusions are Dolphins seam bowler Ottniel Baartman in the white-ball squads, and Lions all-rounder Wiaan Mulder in both ODI and Test squads.
Despite their status, ODI captain Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada have been left out of the white-ball leg to focus on red-ball cricket ahead of the Test series. Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi will also skip the 3rd T20I and ODI series, joining Bavuma and Rabada in playing first-class matches in preparation for the Tests.
Aiden Markram will lead the ODI team in Bavuma’s absence.
Titans fast bowler Lizaad Williams is currently under medical evaluation for a groin injury incurred in a recent match. Anrich Nortje and Wayne Parnell were not available for selection due to ongoing rehabilitation for their injuries.
The T20I squad will assemble in Durban on December 7.
