De Bruyn to give Proteas big boost
Batsman earns reprieve, ready for Sri Lanka Test
Theunis de Bruyn has received a stay of execution and will be part of South Africa’s Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka.
The series starts in Durban on Wednesday with the following Test in Port Elizabeth; venues with slow pitches that could aid a return to form for De Bruyn if he finds a spot in the starting XI. De Bruyn was tossed and turned like a readymade steak by Pakistan’s superb bowling attack even though South Africa won the series 3-0.
A Sri Lankan bowling attack minus its best and fastest bowlers in Nuwan Pradeep‚ Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara will pose less of a challenge for the talented but intense De Bruyn.
The right-hander is an immensely talented top-order batsman with all the shots in the book and the temperament to match. However‚ he doesn’t quite exude a sense of enjoyment as compared to his teammates‚ even though Pakistan’s bowling attack provided a stern examination.
In the six innings across the three Tests that were played on admittedly difficult surfaces at SuperSport Park‚ Newlands and the Wanderers‚ De Bruyn scratched around for 118 runs at 18.66 with a highest of 49.
However‚ he was SA’s fifthhighest run-scorer in a series that only produced two centuries from Quinton de Kock and captain Francois du Plessis. De Bruyn‚ though‚ also scored a good maiden Test 100 against Sri Lanka in difficult conditions in Colombo last year.
While talented Highveld Lions allrounder Wiaan Mulder is a surprise but deserving inclusion after a rousing Four-Day Franchise Series return‚ an unsurprising omission‚ ostensibly on match fitness and World Cup grounds‚ is that of Lungi Ngidi.
The Titans fast bowler has recently recovered from a knee injury he sustained against Australia in November.
Ngidi recently said he’s back to full fitness and should be available for Momentum OneDay Cup that starts on Friday.
Selection convenor Linda Zondi‚ though‚ has his eye on the World Cup and said it was better to ease Ngidi back to full fitness.
“Wiaan has been part of our strategic thinking in developing a batting allrounder for the Test squad for some time.
“His injury in the white ball series against Zimbabwe last year came at an unfortunate time and we are gradually working him back into the Proteas setup‚” said Zondi.
“For the same reason we are not going to rush Lungi Ngidi back into international action until he has had the time to gain full match fitness.
“After the convincing victory against Pakistan the selectors are looking to exercise consistency in the squad and at the same time to strengthen it through the inclusion of Mulder.”
Zubayr Hamza‚ who had an impressive debut in the third Test against Pakistan‚ is also in the squad but Du Plessis has served his one-Test suspension for his over-rate offence in the New Year’s Test against Pakistan.
He is an immensely talented top-order batsman with all the shots in the book