Rassie van der Dussen named South Africa’s captain for the T20I tri-series

In the forthcoming Twenty20 International tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Harare, Rassie van der Dussen will captain a revamped and diminished South African team.

In lieu of captain Aiden Markram and a few other regulars who were rested as part of their workload management, Van der Dussen has been named captain.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, an exciting young opener who led the SA20 run charts this season, has received his first call-up. A chance to make his T20I debut will be given to Corbin Bosch, who has already been in ODIs and Test matches. The list of uncapped players selected for this series is completed by Senuran Muthusamy, who has represented the national team in the other two formats, and Rubin Hermann, another player who made an impression in the SA20.

The return of pacers Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger has also helped South Africa. Currently playing in the MLC, both fast bowlers have been recuperating from chronic injuries. Dewald Brevis, who hasn’t played for South Africa in nearly two years, is another player who is expected to return.

Shukri Conrad will be playing in his maiden T20I match since being appointed all-format coach for this series. On July 14, South Africa will play the hosts, Zimbabwe, to begin the tri-series. The date of the final is set for July 26.

“This T20I tri-series marks the start of our preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup,” Conrad stated. “As part of their workload management strategy, a number of senior players are taking time off, which gives these players a chance to step up, demonstrate their abilities, and increase their chances of being selected for the World Cup.

“We’re thrilled to see how Luan-dre and Rubin adjust to the challenges of international cricket after receiving recognition for their exceptional domestic play in the SA20. We are eager to see how Corbin’s Test and ODI abilities will convert to the T20I arena because we know what he can give at this level.”

Squad: Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee