South Africa Announces Playing XI for First Test Against Bangladesh, Hamza and Paterson Make Comeback
South Africa reveals its squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, with Jubair Hamza and Dane Paterson returning to the team.
Johannesburg, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : South Africa has unveiled its playing eleven for the first Test against Bangladesh, set to commence on Sunday at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The squad sees the return of Jubair Hamza and Dane Paterson.
Hamza has been selected to bat at number three, taking the spot from Tony de Zorzi. This marks Hamza’s first Test appearance since February 2024. Under coach Shukri Conrad, various players have been tested in the number three position, and the team is now looking for a more reliable option. David Bedingham, who previously occupied the position, struggled against Australia, managing only one half-century in five innings before being dropped.
In another change, fast bowler Dane Paterson has been included in the lineup. Paterson last played a Test match in December 2024. Gerald Coetzee, who stepped in for the injured Anrich Nortje during the third Test against Australia, has not made the squad this time. Bedingham and Coetzee are the only players from the victorious team who have been left out.
Hamza, who plays domestic cricket at the Wanderers, has been preferred over de Zorzi for the number three role. Although de Zorzi has more Test experience, most of his success has come while batting as an opener or at number four, positions that are currently unavailable.
Aiden Markram and Marques Ackermann will open the innings, with Hamza batting at number three. Captain Temba Bavuma will play at number five, joined by Matthew Britzke in the same position. Ryan Rickelton, who batted at number six during the Australia series, remains in that spot ahead of all-rounders Vian Mulder and Marco Jansen.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer has secured a place in the team, leading to Keshav Maharaj’s exclusion. Harmer will be the only specialist spinner, having taken an impressive ten wickets in the Cape Town Test against Australia. With Nortje ruled out, Kagiso Rabada and Paterson will lead the pace attack alongside Jansen and Mulder. Nortje is expected to return for the second Test after recovering from a groin injury.
The playing eleven for South Africa in the first Test includes: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackermann, Jubair Hamza, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Britzke, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Vian Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, and Dane Paterson.
