All-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been included in the 15-man squad for South Africa’s two-Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
Whether Mulder will be retained in the playing XI and again bat in third position remains in the balance.
Mulder scored six and 27 from third position – and bowled 19 wicketless overs – in South Africa’s World Test Championship final victory over Australia in England earlier this month.
“I always see myself as a batter. I’ve always wanted to bat. I think a lot of my career, I have hidden behind that fact and tried to bowl more or whatever the case may be,” he said.
“I love the chance to bat at three. And when I broke my finger in December, it all kind of changed. I think me breaking my finger created an opportunity that wouldn’t have necessarily been there before. So, I love batting at three and hopefully I can make it work because it just balances the team nicely.”
South Africa have five uncapped players in the squad for the tour of Zimbabwe, including batsmen Lhuan-dre Pretorius, seamer Codi Yusuf and spinner Prenelan Subrayen.
Several first-choice players have been rested, including batsman Aiden Markram and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj will captain the team in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma.
“I think there’s a lot of guys here who want to prove a point, why they’re here, and how well they’ve played over the last couple of domestic seasons to get here,” added Mulder.
“So, I think the squad won’t worry too much about what happened with the WTC final. I think the one or two guys that are here also want to play cricket. So that’s the big thing.
“That’s the exciting part about having such a talented group here in Zimbabwe. Yes, some of the guys needed a rest. Of course they do. I mean, that’s why they perform at the highest level so consistently. But it’s another opportunity for someone else.”