South Africa Squad For WTC Final vs Australia Disclosed; Lungi Ngidi Returns

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named a familiar-looking Test squad to face Australia in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 at Lord’s next month. They will be under the wings of Temba Bavuma, headlined by the premier pacer, Kagiso Rabada, who recently finished his one-month ban for failing a drug test.

Rabada, serving the suspension between April 03 and May 03, was available to play Gujarat Titans’ next game against the Mumbai Indians on May 06. He will lead a six-man pace attack at the final, including Lungi Ngidi, who hasn’t featured in the longest format since last August.

South Africa keeps faith in the familiar pace unit

The right-arm pacer, Gerald Coetzee, was ruled out of the home summer with a groin injury in the Durban Test against Sri Lanka. Kwena Maphaka, the left-arm fast bowler, made his debut against Pakistan at the Newlands. However, the selectors went with neither of these two bowlers.

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Anrich Nortje, who doesn’t have a central contract for the red-ball clashes this summer, or Nandre Burger, who has recovered from the lower back stress fracture and has joined the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, are not part of the tournament.

Dane Patterson, who earned success in South Africa’s home Test series and is currently featuring in the County Championship with Middlesex, has been included. Along with the left-arm spin of Keshav Maharaj, all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy is also a member of the squad.

Aiden Markram is likely to open the batting with the southpaw, Tony de Zorzi. Tristan Stubbs can be used at number three or lower in the order, while captain Temba Bavuma, recovered from the elbow injury, will bat at number four.

“A key part of our success has been consistency”- South Africa’s Test coach

David Bedingham hasn’t played any game since April 11 because of recovering from a broken toe. But he will return to the field this week for Durham. Kyle Verreynne, who celebrated his century for Nottinghamshire in his first appearance, will be the first-choice wicket-keeper.

The Protea red-ball coach, Shukri Conrad, highlighted how they would try to be a comparative red-ball unit to achieve their first World Test Championship title.

"Firstly, I want to congratulate each of the players selected for this squad. It is a special moment for this group to contest the WTC Final. Over the past 18 months, we've worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit, and this achievement reflects that progress.” Conrad revealed.

“A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we've stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We've selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord's. I'm particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back. He's put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball.” South Africa's coach added.

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South Africa hasn’t informed if their players would return from the IPL 2025 before the final, but their statement included the date of May 31, when they would meet in England.

They are due to begin a four-day warm-up game against Zimbabwe at Arundel. The non-IPL players will leave the country on May 30, nearly 10 days before the start of the final.

South Africa squad for the WTC final vs Australia

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, and Kyle Verreynne