Proteas name Temba Bavuma Test captain and include Tony de Zorzi

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Temba BavumaTemba Bavuma.

Posted By: Editorial February 17, 2023

Batsman Temba Bavuma has been named South Africa’s captain for late February to mid-March 2023’s Test series against the West Indies.

Western Province batsman Tony de Zorzi, who has not been capped at international level, has been included in the squad.

Former Test captain Dean Elgar has been demoted, but retained in the squad.

All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, batsmen Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen have been recalled.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne and batsmen Rassie van der Dussen, Khaya Zondo and Sarel Erwee have been excluded.

Bavuma, meanwhile, has relinquished the T20I captaincy. He’ll remain the ODI captain.

Cricket South Africa, too, have confirmed the removal of convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang.

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South Africa Test squad

  1. Temba Bavuma (captain)
  2. Gerald Coetzee
  3. Tony de Zorzi
  4. Dean Elgar
  5. Simon Harmer
  6. Marco Jansen
  7. Heinrich Klaasen
  8. Keshav Maharaj
  9. Aiden Markram
  10. Wiaan Mulder
  11. Senuran Muthusamy
  12. Anrich Nortje
  13. Keegan Petersen
  14. Kagiso Rabada
  15. Ryan Rickelton

What CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe said

“Temba is a player that has vast captaincy experience both at domestic level and on the international stage having led both the ODI and T20I teams since March 2021 when he was appointed,” said Nkwe.

“We trust he will deliver on all our expectations and help carry the team forward after some excellent work by his predecessor Dean during the same period.

“At the same time I would like to sincerely thank Dean for all his commitment to the role over the past two years. He helped the team navigate through some stormy waters and put them in good position on the World Test Championship table.

“Both men have made us proud with the work they have done within the wider Proteas group and look forward to the next step in what is a new era for the Proteas under the leadership of dual coaches Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter.

“We also felt this was an opportune time to reassess the selection team and have decided to make some changes that we expect will help us with planning better in the future.

“In this regard, we thank Victor for the time he has invested with the national team over the last few years and wish him well for the future.”

What new Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad said

“We believe we have selected the strongest possible group for this series against a strong West Indies team who are coming here fresh from beating Zimbabwe,” said Conrad.

“We are pleased to see the likes of Keegan Petersen fit again and ready to play after his injury. He will add some much-needed stability to the batting, which has also been strengthened by the return of Aiden Markram and maiden call-up of Tony de Zorzi.

“We look forward to a good series between two teams that are rebuilding and we expect to only get better as we spend more time together as a group in the weeks and months ahead.”

South Africa and the West Indies will meet for two Tests from 28 February to 12 March. Centurion will host the first Test and Johannesburg the second.

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