South Africa announces 17-man squad for New Zealand Tests; Simon Harmer returns after six-year gap

Off-spinner Simon Harmer has been recalled to the South African squad and will play his first international game after more than six years. He last represented the Proteas side in November 2015, a Test against India in Nagpur.

Also back in the squad is fast bowler Lutho Sipamla but there is no place for speedster Anrich Nortje, who is still recovering from his hip injury.

“The inclusions of Simon and Lutho reaffirm our intentions as a (selection) panel to reward excellence on the field and the pair have let their work speak on their behalf this past season,” Victor Mpitsang, National Convenor of Selectors, said in a media release from Cricket South Africa on Wednesday.

The 17-member squad is otherwise much the same that defeated India 2-1 in the three-match home series earlier this month, with Dean Elgar as skipper and Temba Bavuma his deputy.

Both fixtures, which are a part of the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Hagley Oval in Christchurch will host the series, starting February 17.

South Africa Test squad for New Zealand tour:

Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.

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January 27, 2022 at 05:57PM