South Africa’s Simon Harmer. File.
| Photo Credit: Okay.R. Deepak
Spin pair Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have been drafted into South Africa’s crew for the second Test in opposition to West Indies, coach Shukri Conrad introduced on Tuesday.
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder and in-form batsman Ryan Rickelton additionally come into the beginning XI on the Wanderers on Wednesday as South Africa look to construct on their 87-run win within the first Test at Centurion.
Injured quick bowler Anrich Nortje offers manner whereas spinning all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, batsman Keegan Petersen and quick bowler Marco Jansen have all been disregarded.
The inclusion of two spinners is a rarity for South African groups enjoying on the Wanderers. Left-arm spinner Maharaj, 33, and off-spinner Harmer, 34, each return having performed in harness collectively within the Sydney Test in opposition to Australia in January.
Conrad stated the number of two spinners was based mostly on an inclination for the Wanderers pitch to provide some spin over the previous yr, whereas he stated left-arm fast Jansen “deserves a bit of a break”.
The tempo assault of Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee will get some backing from medium-paced all-rounder Mulder.
Rickelton, a wicketkeeper-batsman who performed his three Tests final yr making a finest rating of 42 in opposition to Bangladesh in Gqeberha, replaces an out-of-sorts Petersen at quantity 5.
Heinrich Klaasen, nevertheless, will retain the wicketkeeper position.
Conrad identified that each participant within the 15-man squad “has got an opportunity to play”.
Conrad additionally pleaded for extra Test cricket for each South Africa and the West Indies, saying each groups had a proud historical past on the highest stage.
“If there is a lack of Test cricket, interest could start to wane,” he stated.
“We don’t play a lot of Test cricket so we’ve got to find novel ways of finding out about these guys,” he stated.
Conrad stated he wished to have a settled Test squad by the point India arrive for South Africa’s subsequent Test sequence in December.
Asked how that may be attainable given the dearth of Test fixtures, Conrad stated he hoped to take a South Africa A crew on tour which would come with a few of the youthful members of the present Test squad.
South Africa crew:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee
