Bavuma named Proteas Test captain
Batsman Temba Bavuma has been named as Proteas Test captain as part of a restructure within the leadership group of the national team.
Cricket South Africa made the announcement on Friday.
The 32-year-old will replace Dean Elgar at the helm of the red-ball format and will continue to lead the ODI side but has relinquished the T20 International captaincy.
A new leader of that team will be named as part of the white-ball squad to face the West Indies next month.
Bavuma’s first assignment will be to lead a 15-man squad in the two-match Test series against the West Indies which is due to start later this month.
Elgar, meanwhile, remains available to play for the Proteas after captaining them in 15 Tests during a near-two-year reign.
“He is a player that has vast captaincy experience both at domestic level and on the international stage having led both the ODI and T20I teams since March 2021 when he was appointed,” said CSA’s director of cricket Enoch Nkwe.
“Both men have made us proud with the work they have done within the wider Proteas group and look forward to the next step in what is a new era for the Proteas under the leadership of dual coaches Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter.”
Nkwe also confirmed that Victor Mpitsang has been released from his role as national convenor of selectors. The current interim structure will see the head coaches of the respective teams playing a leading role in squad selections going forward.
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Dolphins batter Keegan Petersen makes his return from a hamstring injury, with DP World Lions’ Ryan Rickelton also named in the squad. Momentum Multiply Titans batter Aiden Markram has been drafted back in the Test squad, while his Titans teammate, Heinrich Klaasen will keep wicket.
“We believe we have selected the strongest possible group for this series against a strong West Indies team who are coming here fresh from beating Zimbabwe,” said Test head coach Shukri Conrad.
“We are pleased to see the likes of Keegan Petersen fit again and ready to play after his injury. He will add some much-needed stability to the batting, which has also been strengthened by the return of Aiden Markram and maiden call-up of Tony de Zorzi.”
