CAPE TOWN: A.B. de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander
will all make long-awaited returns for South Africa at Test level after
being named in the 14-man squad for next week’s day-night, inaugural
four-day contest against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth.
It
means South Africa are back to full strength for the first time in
almost two years for the Dec 26-29 match at St Georges Park which serves
as a warm-up for three home Tests against India in January and a series
against Australia straight after that.
De Villiers’
last Test was against England in Pretoria in January 2016 after which he
asked for time out from the long format of the game while Steyn has
been recovering from a serious shoulder injury suffered against
Australia at Perth just over a year ago and only returned to competitive
cricket last month.
Philander missed the 2-0 series win
over Bangladesh in September and October following an injury on tour to
England in mid-year.
South Africa’s top four fast
bowlers are reunited, with Morne Morkel having recovered from an injury
he suffered during the first Test against Bangladesh.
“AB
and Dale bring loads of experience to the side apart from being two of
the South African all-time greats,” said selection convener Linda Zondi.
Although de Villiers is set to return to Test action,
he was withdrawn from the South African Invitation team which starts a
three-day match against the Zimbabweans in Paarl on Wednesday because of
lower back stiffness.
Zondi said the withdrawal was a precaution and that de Villiers would be available for the Test.
Faf du Plessis was named as captain, although he has been out of action recently after a shoulder operation.
Squad:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock,
Theunis de Bruyn, A.B. de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden
Markram, Morne Morkel, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso
Rabada, Dale Steyn.
