Tri-series opportunity for SA’s young guns, says Bavuma ahead of opener
LAHORE: The ongoing tri-nation One-day International (ODI) series is an opportunity for young South African players to prove their potential as future regulars, captain Temba Bavuma has said.
The Proteas have named a below-strength squad for their first match of the tournament — also involving hosts Pakistan and New Zealand — featuring four uncapped players with a number of first-team mainstays unavailable due to the ongoing SA20 T20 league.
Meanwhile the experienced pros return, the fresher faces would have the chance to make a mark.
“It is a lovely opportunity for a couple of guys who have been doing well in domestic cricket and in T20 leagues to make a statement on what value they can add to the team,” Bavuma said in the pre-match press conference on Sunday, ahead of their tri-nation series opener against New Zealand.
South African ODI regulars Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen will not take part in the tri-nation series but have already been named in the squad for the Champions Trophy, which starts on Feb 19 in Pakistan.
Among players uncapped at international level is Eathan Bosch, son of former Test player Tertius Bosch and brother of Corbin Bosch, who made his Test and One-day International debut against Pakistan in recent home series.
“The tri-series will give us a chance to acclimatise to playing in Pakistan and get knowledge to share it with a wider group and it is also an opportunity for young players to keep on playing in future,” Bavuma said before South Africa’s training session here at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen miss the first match but will be available for the second ODI against Pakistan in Karachi on Feb. 12.
That leaves South Africa with only one specialist spinner for the first match in Tabraiz Shamsi while the other spinner in the squad is Senuran Muthusamy.
“I guess we’ll see it tomorrow if it will be a problem. I mean, we’ve got [Tabraiz] Shamsi and Senuran Muthusamy and if we’re able to play both of them I think that gives the option for the slow bowling,” Bavuma said of his strategy over using the spinners in the New Zealand fixture. “Look, the squad we have is what we have at this point in time. We didn’t have the privilege of selecting from everyone that is available back home.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand said Rachin Ravindra was recovering well after taking a ball full in the face during the tri-series opener against Pakistan.
The all-rounder was left bloodied by the blow to his forehead after losing sight of the ball in the floodlights as he attempted a catch in the 38th over of Pakistan’s innings.
The team said Ravindra had suffered a cut to his face but was “otherwise well” and had passed his first Head Injury Assessment (HIA), but was “unlikely” to feature against South Africa.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Lungi Ngidi, Tabriaz Shamsi, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Meeka-eel Prince, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne
Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2025
