JOHANNESBURG: Temba Bavuma will return to international cricket for the first time this year when he leads South Africa in a two-match Test series in West Indies next month.

His lengthy absence from South African teams illustrates what coach Shukri Conrad said is the reality of a modern world dominated by white-ball cricket.

White-ball and English county commitments mean that Conrad will only have eight of his 16-man squad available for a pre-tour camp in Durban next week.

Bavuma was injured during South Africa’s first Test against India last December and missed the second Test in which South Africa were beaten on a sub-standard pitch. He then missed a two-Test series in New Zealand when South Africa sent a weakened squad to defeat in both matches because contracted players were compelled to play in the SA20.

Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wicket-keeper), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper).

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024