Spinner Keshav Maharaj has been appointed captain for South Africa’s two-Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
Maharaj will lead the team in the absence of full-time captain Temba Bavuma, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury during last week’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s.
This will be the first time Maharaj has been Test captain. He has been ODI and T20I captain previously.
“Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain,” read a statement from Cricket South Africa.
“He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury. Maharaj will captain the side in his absence.”
Batsmen Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and all-rounder Marco Jansen have been rested for this two-Test series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
The uncapped Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen and Codi Yusuf have been selected in the 15-man squad.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been named in the squad, but won’t be available for the first Test.
South Africa Test Squad for Zimbabwe series
- Keshav Maharaj (captain, Dolphins)
- David Bedingham (Western Province)
- Matthew Breetzke (Warriors)
- Dewald Brevis (Titans)
- Corbin Bosch (Titans)
- Tony de Zorzi (Western Province)
- Zubayr Hamza (Lions)
- Kwena Maphaka (Lions)
- Wiaan Mulder (Lions)
- Lungi Ngidi (Titans)
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans)
- Lesego Senokwane (Titans)
- Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins)
- Kyle Verreynne Western Province)
- Codi Yusuf (Lions)