logo
Pacer makes return as South Africa name WTC25 Final squad

Pacer makes return as South Africa name WTC25 Final squad

The Proteas have largely kept faith in their trusted core, making only two changes to the 16-player squad that faced Pakistan. Youngster Kwena Maphaka misses out at the expense of the returning Ngidi, while top-order batter Matthew Breetzke also drops out.
Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram make up the top order batting options, whereas rising star Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham and Bavuma will hold fort in the middle order. Kyle Verreynne will be an electric presence behind the stumps and lower down the order, and all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen can also contribute with the bat.
Mulder and Jansen will be joined by ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, Ngidi, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch to frame up the fast-bowling lineup. Tweaker Keshav Maharaj will be the face of the spin resources alongside Senuran Muthusamy. SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD FOR WTC25 FINAL
Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cummins hails match-winners as Australia get going in WTC27  ICC World Test Championship
Cummins hails match-winners as Australia get going in WTC27  ICC World Test Championship

Int'l Cricket Council

time2 days ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

Cummins hails match-winners as Australia get going in WTC27 ICC World Test Championship

In a match that ebbed and flowed, it was Australia who emerged victorious against West Indies in the opening Test of the three-match series in Bridgetown. While the win may not erase the heartbreak of Lord's just two weeks ago, it marks a positive start to their World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with their first points now on the board. There was little to separate the sides after the first two innings – just 10 runs, in fact. Jayden Seales' five-wicket haul helped bowl Australia out for 180, before a disciplined all-round effort from the Australian bowlers restricted West Indies to 190, giving the hosts a slender lead. Australia found themselves in trouble at 65/4 after another top-order collapse, but the middle-order trio of Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey steadied the ship with crucial half-centuries. Head and Webster put together a 102-run stand, with Head playing the aggressor. After Head's dismissal, Carey took charge, highlighted by two brilliant straight sixes off Seales and Justin Greaves. "I thought those three were brilliant," Australia skipper Pat Cummins said at the post-match press conference. "They kept the scoreboard ticking over. I thought they took really good options. They were always looking to score. 'Really, that was the difference. [You are] turning up today thinking that if we didn't get a big lead it was 50-50, really. Those guys took the game away from West Indies." Cummins was particularly impressed by Beau Webster, who, despite having played just five Tests, has already built a reputation for digging Australia out of tough spots with grit and composure on challenging surfaces. On debut against India, the 31-year-old made an instant impact, scoring a half-century on a spicy Sydney pitch in the first innings and following it up with a brisk unbeaten 39 in their victorious chase. In the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, Webster stood tall with a counter-attacking 72 off 92 balls, the top score in Australia's first-innings total of 212. Against West Indies, he once again proved pivotal, anchoring two key partnerships in the second innings with a composed 63 off 120 balls that turned the tide in Australia's favour. He also made an impact with the ball, claiming two wickets in the first innings. Beau Webster helps Australia's cause with half-century | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final Beau Webster marked his first Lord's Test with a half century in the World Test Championship Final. "I think it's pretty much the same as what he does for Tasmania," Cummins said on Webster. "He seems to always contribute in some way. He's kind of knocked down the door with his performances over the years in Shield cricket. It's great when you've got someone like that coming to the team. 'They know their craft so well and you saw that today, even on a tricky wicket, he knew where his areas to score were. He's been a fantastic asset to the team over the last six months." After setting West Indies a target of 301, Australia needed just one session and under 34 overs to seal the win, dismantling the hosts for 141. Leading the charge was the ever-reliable Josh Hazlewood, who delivered a brilliant five-wicket haul to cap off the dominant performance. Hazlewood cleans up Stubbs with a jaffa | WTC25 Final Josh Hazlewood also got himself among the wickets by nipping one in to get rid of Tristan Stubbs. 'Give Josh a wicket with any little bit in it, and he finds it,' Cummins added on his pace bowling partner Hazlewood. 'Just hits the right area, ball after ball, presents good seam. I thought he was great at Lord's as well last week, without perhaps the returns that he was deserved. 'It's a huge asset to have him on our side as well. He's been keeping Scotty Boland out of the side and we know how good Scotty is. Really pumped for Josh this week.' The series now moves to St George's for the second Test, which gets underway on 3 July. ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsAustraliaWest Indies

Maharaj captains young South Africa XI for Zimbabwe Test
Maharaj captains young South Africa XI for Zimbabwe Test

Int'l Cricket Council

time3 days ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

Maharaj captains young South Africa XI for Zimbabwe Test

Following an injury to full-time skipper Temba Bavuma, Maharaj was named as the skipper of the South Africa side for the tour. Bavuma had sustained a hamstring strain during the World Test Championship Final, but continued to bat bravely thereafter, guiding the Proteas to a historic title. Maharaj will lead a young XI into the first Test in Bulawayo, with Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke being named as the designated openers. Wiaan Mulder will have another go at number three, after having impressed in the second innings of the Ultimate Test, while David Bedingham finds himself promoted to number four. Debutant Lhuan-dré Pretorius, who has just seven first-class games to his name, comes in at number five, whereas Dewald Brevis, who also makes his Test debut, sits at number six.

Sri Lanka to tour Zimbabwe for white-ball series
Sri Lanka to tour Zimbabwe for white-ball series

Int'l Cricket Council

time4 days ago

  • Int'l Cricket Council

Sri Lanka to tour Zimbabwe for white-ball series

Zimbabwe Cricket's Managing Director Givemore Makoni expressed optimism and excitement about the upcoming series. 'We are delighted to confirm Sri Lanka's visit to Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a thrilling and competitive series. Matches between our two nations have always produced entertaining cricket, and this tour comes at a crucial time for our team as we prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifying campaign.' The last time the two nations squared off against each other was in January 2024, when Sri Lanka reigned victorious 2-0 in the three-match ODI series at home. The squads for the tour are yet to be named. Zimbabwe are gearing up to host the ICC World Test Champions South Africa for a two-Test series, followed by a tri-series against the Proteas and New Zealand. Sri Lanka on the other hand are featuring in their first assignment of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle at home against Bangladesh, and will compete in three ODIs and as many T20Is following the red-ball leg of the tour. Zimbabwe Men's fixtures against Sri Lanka: August 29 - 1st ODI August 31 - 2nd ODI September 3 - 1st T20I September 6 - 2nd T20I September 7 - 3rd T20I

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store