Neil Brand to lead new-look Proteas side for New Zealand Test tour

30.12.2023 - 13:30 news24.com

Cricket South Africa on Saturday named a completely new-look Proteas side that will take on New Zealand in February's two-match Test series tour.Only batters David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen and newly called-up Zubayr Hamza will form part of the Test side following the ongoing Test series against India.Rob Houwing | Why Cricket SA must press Elgar for (brief) exit U-turnTitans Neil Brand will make his Test debut and captain the side, which will also see familiar faces like Dane Paterson, Duanne Olivier, Khaya Zondo and Dane Piedt in the mix.Brand, who led South Africa 'A' to a 2-1 series win over West Indies 'A' earlier this month, is one of seven uncapped players - the others being batter Raynard van Tonder, all-rounders Ruan de Swardt and Mihlali Mpongwana, seam bowler Tshepo Moreki, spinner Shaun von Berg and wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin. SA to NZ tour itinerary: Warm-up Match 29-31 January - New Zealand XI vs South Africa at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University Test Series 4-8 February - New Zealand vs South Africa at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui 13-17 February - New Zealand vs South Africa at Seddon Park, HamiltonTest coach Shukri Conrad has had to select a relatively young and inexperienced Test side since majority of the Proteas will be participating in the SA20, scheduled to start from 10 January to 10 February.The 14-man Proteas Test squad will depart for New Zealand on 19 January."Firstly I would like to congratulate the players that will be going on a Proteas tour for the first time.

It is a real honour to represent your country, so they should savour the moment," said Conrad in a press statement."The players picked for this tour have every chance of challenging New Zealand and we have full confidence they will

cricket Test Keegan Petersen David Bedingham Rob Houwing Shukri Conrad South Africa New Zealand India county Dane county Park county Bay

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday named uncapped batter Neil Brand as the skipper for the upcoming red-ball series against New Zealand while also adding seven more uncapped players, including opener Edward Moore to their squad for the red-ball tour next month. The 30-year-old opener is the eighth uncapped player in the 15-member Proteas Test squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand. Moore is a known name in the domestic circuit, having aggregated 7743 runs in 117 first-class matches for Western Province.

"Some Guys Are Disappointed": South Africa Great On Weakened Team For New Zealand Tests

Taking the SA20 to India in future could be "great" despite the logistical challenges such a move may involve, feels former South Africa cricketer Mark Boucher. Like the 2009 edition of the IPL was held in South Africa due to general elections in India, Boucher admitted the SA20 could be organised in the cricket-crazy Asian nation in the near future. "I think it's a great idea; I'm not against it. The IPL happened in South Africa, and we can do the same, as both cricketing nations share a great relationship," Boucher said during a virtual media interaction on Friday.

Captain Shaheen Afridi Set To Demote Opener Babar Azam For New Zealand T20Is: Report

Pakistan are expected to go for a new opening pair in the T20 series in New Zealand with Muhammad Rizwan to partner young Saim Ayub instead of Babar Azam. According to reports from Auckland, the team management had Rizwan and Saim batting in the nets against the new ball bowlers while Babar and Fakhar Zaman had their knocks against mainly spinners in the other nets. Babar and Rizwan have opened pretty successfully for Pakistan in the T20 format since 2021 but apparently new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, new high performance coach Yasir Arafat and the team director Muhammad Hafeez are keen to try out something new against New Zealand in the five-match series beginning on January 12.

South Africa’s Klaasen retires from test cricket

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has retired from red ball cricket despite the country’s test coach Shukri Conrad suggesting he would form part of his plans in 2024.

South Africa win toss, bat first in second test v India

CAPE TOWN : South Africa captain Dean Elgar won the toss and elected to bat first in the second and final test against India amid glorious sunshine at Newlands on Wednesday as the hosts seek a series sweep against the top ranked side in the world.

"Didn't Happen In 1st Game...": Rohit Sharma's Honest Admission As India Make Big Changes For 2nd Test

South Africa stand-in captain Dean Elgar won the toss and opted to bat against India in the second Test in Cape Town on Wednesday. Elgar, who slammed 185 in the first Test as South Africa defeated India by an innings and 32, runs, will retire from international cricket after the match at the Newlands. The Proteas made three changes with wicketkeeper-batter Tristan Stubbs making his Test debut. Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj have also been included in the playing XI while Bavuma, Keegan Petersen and Gerald Coetzee miss out. India also made a couple of alterations from the side which was humbled by Proteas on Boxing-Day week.