New Delhi: World Test Championship winner South Africa has announced the playing XI for the first Test match against Zimbabwe. The first match of the two-Test series between South Africa and Zimbabwe will start on June 28. Keeping in mind the workload in this Test match, some senior players of the South African team have been rested. For this reason, young players like Luan-Dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis have been given a chance in the Test.
19-year-old Pretorius has played a total of 7 first class matches so far, during which he has scored 485 runs at an average of 60.62. Pretorius has made a distinct identity in domestic cricket with his strong batting in a very short time. In such a situation, now he will try to take advantage of the opportunity in the national team. Pretorius is a top order batsman in limited overs, but he will have to play at number 5 in the Test team.
Dewald Brevis has also got a chance in the Test team
Apart from Pretorius, young batsman Dewald Brevis has also got a chance in the South Africa Test team for the first time. Recently he had performed brilliantly in the SS20 League. Brevis was also selected in the team for the Test series against Bangladesh, but did not get a chance to debut. In such a situation, it is expected that he will get a chance to play in the playing XI in the Test match against Zimbabwe.
At the same time, spin bowler Keshav Maharaj has been declared the captain of the South African team. Regular captain Temba Bavuma is out of this series due to a hamstring injury suffered in the WTC final. Apart from this, senior players like Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi have been rested. Young fast bowler Kwena Mphaka has also got a chance against Zimbabwe.
South Africa's playing XI:
Tony de Giorgi, Matthew Bretzke, Vian Mulder, David Bedingham, Luan-Dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Yusuf, Kwena Mphaka.
