South African speedster Dale Steyn has been named in the test squad for the Sri Lankan tour in July. The star bowler who last played a test against India in the month of January had to leave the field in the middle due to a heel injury. Prior to that, he was also a part of the successful Australian tour in 2016 when they won the series 2-1.
This will be the first series for the safaris post-AB de Villiers” retirement. The Sri Lankan tour is comprised of two tests, five ODI”S and only T20I.
“The two additional spinners to back up Keshav Maharaj have both had excellent records in recent times in our domestic cricket. Von Berg also gives us additional batting strength in the lower order,” CSA National Selection Panel convener, Linda Zondi.
South Africa named three spinners in the form of Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Shaun Von Berg. It will be interesting how Srilankans will be approaching the series as they hadn”t been at their best for some time. They even lost the match against Windies yesterday by a huge margin of 226 runs.
Heinrich Klaasen has been named as the replacement for AB de Villiers and it will really land a truckload of responsibilities on him.
Nonetheless, all eyes will be in the pace quartet (KG, Vernon, Steyn and Lungisani Ngidi) and their ruthlessness in the Srilankan conditions.
“Heinrich Klaasen is the other uncapped player although he has been part of our squad for some time. He provides wicket-keeping cover for Quinton de Kock and is also a contender for a specialist batting position,” CSA National Selection Panel convener, Linda Zondi.
Proteas Test squad:Â Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Heinrich Klaasen, Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj, Dale Steyn, Lungisani Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Tabraiz Shamsi, Shaun Von Berg
