Head coach Shukri Conrad has confirmed the left-handed Ryan Rickelton will open the batting during South Africa’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s next month.
Rickelton opened the batting in the absence of the injured Tony de Zorzi in South Africa’s last Test against Pakistan at Newlands earlier this year – and struck a double-century.
De Zorzi has since returned from injury and has also been included in the Proteas’ squad for the WTC final in London.
“It might have been a headache but I think Rickelton has nailed that down, so Ryan will be the opening bat with Aiden Markram,” said Conrad.
“We’ll look at the balance we want to go with, whether Tony slots in at three, whether he slots in in the middle order, conditions will determine all of that. But right at the top of the order, there’s definitely no headache.”
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who has not played Test cricket since August 2024, has been included in the 15-man WTC final squad as well. Fellow fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee were not selected.
“I genuinely believe someone like Lungi can be a massive asset for us there. He’s looking in great shape. He’s been training really well, and he brings experience to our line-up,” added Conrad.
“Whether he bowls up the slope or down the Lord’s slope, his height and the bounce that he’s able to extract can be a factor. We all enjoy sheer pace.
“Unfortunately, with Nortje, it didn’t pan out the way we had hoped. I don’t think he’s in any position, really, to be playing a Test. Gerald is also making his way back.”
South Africa squad for WTC final
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham
- Corbin Bosch
- Tony de Zorzi
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Lungi Ngidi
- Dane Paterson
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne
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