Cape Town
South Africa’s red-ball head coach Shukri Conrad has unveiled a 16-player squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies, set to commence on August 7 in Trinidad and Tobago.
One notable inclusion is Matthew Breetzke, who earns his maiden Test call-up following impressive performances in last season’s domestic four-day competition. Breetzke amassed 322 runs at an average of 46, including a top score of 188. His previous stint with the South African A side in Sri Lanka in 2023 adds to his credentials.
The squad features experienced names like David Bedingham, Dane Paterson, and Dane Piedt, who were part of the recent New Zealand tour earlier this year. Paterson’s inclusion aims to bolster the team in the absence of Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen, while Piedt joins Keshav Maharaj as the second spinner.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton marks his return to the red-ball setup after last playing against West Indies in March last year.
Conrad emphasized the significance of the Test series in the context of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. After a period dominated by limited-overs cricket, we are eager to return to Test cricket. This tour is crucial for us to enhance our position in the ICC World Test Championship. We have selected a strong squad and anticipate solid performances in the Caribbean, Conrad stated, citing a statement from Cricket South Africa.
The team’s preparations reflect their intent to deliver robust performances and improve their standing in Test cricket, setting the stage for an engaging series against West Indies.
