Dwaine Pretorius also authorized to join as the squad size is reduced from 19 to 17
First-rate hitter Raynard van Tonder and fast pitcher Lutho Sipamla have received inaugural calls for the South African test squad, while all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius has also been approved to be part of the group. In addition to the members of the team that was named last week, two more players have tested positive for Covid-19 and will no longer be part of the playgroup. That brings the total number of players in preparation for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka to 17.
In accordance with doctor-patient confidentiality, CSA will not name the two players who have been eliminated from the team, but they, and at least 10 others, including van Tonder and Sipamla, were part of national matches in which cases of Covid-19. this week and you may not be able to get into the bio = bubble on Saturday, which may require more team changes.
Former U19 national captain van Tonder has been rewarded for his form in the four-day national competition, where he is at the top of the racing table. His most recent hit was two hundred, setting up the Knights for a great victory over the Lions, Sipamla’s team. That game was Sipamla’s first red ball cricket of the summer and he took 2 of 75. Also, in that game, a Lions player tested positive for Covid-19 on the third day and was substituted, and the game will continue. Testing and monitoring have continued in regards to other Lions players.
Pretorius, who also plays for the Lions, did not participate in the game as he was recovering from a hamstring injury that had ruled him out of the aborted white-ball series against England. He was scheduled to play in the round of matches that was scheduled to begin this Sunday but due to the games being postponed, Pretorius has joined the national team.
“Pretorius has made great progress since the hamstring injury he sustained last month just prior to the start of the England tour. He would have completed the last step of the CSA Return to Play protocol by playing in the now-postponed round of the 4-Day Cup and instead will work closely with the team’s medical staff and coaches to ensure it is ready for the test match, “a CSA statement said.
Kagiso Rabada, the other injured player from South Africa’s regular playing group, has not been cleared to play after sustaining a groin injury against England and is expected not to play in the Sri Lanka series. Rabada’s absence has prompted South Africa to request reinforcements, including Sipamla and, earlier this week, Migael Pretorius.
Players from South Africa were tested for Covid-19 between Wednesday and Thursday and will be tested again upon arrival at Centurion tomorrow. They will spend the first 72 hours in managed isolation in their hotel rooms with individual or small group training and will be evaluated for the third and final time on Tuesday of next week, two days before the Boxing series begins. Day.
Team: Quinton de Kock (capt & wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen , Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Raynard van Tonder
Firdose Moonda is a correspondent for ESPNcricinfo in South Africa
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