SA vs SL: Two debutants added to SA Test squad for series against SL

South Africa added three new names to their Test squad for the upcoming two match series against Sri Lanka. The CSA confirmed the addition of three players which takes their squad to 19 players. There was no mention of Covid-19 but it is expected that the announcement comes after 10 of the original 16 squad members were exposed to the virus.

Ten players were exposed to the virus earlier this week, during the first-class matches. At least five of the players have tested positive. Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Rassie van der Dussen, Lungi Ngidi, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen and Migael Pretorius all have been in vicinity of someone who has contacted the virus.

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As a result, Raynard van Tonder, Lutho Sipamla and Dwaine Pretorius have been added to the squad. Van Tonder, who is yet to make his debut scored a double century for the Knights against the Lions and also scored 166 against Dolphins last month. He is the leading run scorer in the first class competition with 604 runs from ten innings.

Lutho Sipamla’s addition comes as a surprise as he has just played one first class match this season. In some positive news for South Africa, Dwaine Pretorius makes his return to the squad after a hamstring injury kept him out against England. Pretorius has not been a mainstay in South Africa’s test team as he has just played three test matches for the Proteas so far. However, with Rabada injured, he may get an opportunity to play both tests.

The South African contingent was tested on Wednesday and Thursday and will be again tested on Saturday. The squad will assemble in Pretoria on Saturday and go into a bio-secure environment which they will share with Sri Lanka. The first Test is scheduled to begin on the Boxing Day, December 26 at Centurion.

Last time, Sri Lanka toured South Africa, they defeated the Proteas 2-0 in the Test series and became the first Asian team to win a Test series in the Rainbow nation.