Coetzee gets a Proteas call-up

Knights fast bowler Gerald Coetzee is the only newbie to crack the Proteas Test squad for the threematch tour of Australia next month.

The 16-man squad named yesterday also features experienced Titans batter Theunis de Bruyn, who has been recalled for the first time since 2019, and paceman Glenton Stuurman, both of whom have been in Proteas squads before.

Coetzee, 22, has claimed 40 wickets at an average of 28.82 in his 13 first-class matches so far, with a career-best of 4/47.

He will compete with Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Stuurman for a place among the fast bowlers in the Test side.

Rassie van der Dussen is also back in a Proteas squad for the first time since a finger injury cut short his tour of England a few months back and cost him a potential place in the T20 squad for the recent World Cup in Australia.

In another change to the most recent Test squad, wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen replaces Ryan Rickelton, who has an ankle injury and was not considered. Rickelton featured in England in September.

Top-order batter Keegan Petersen is also unavailable for selection after sustaining a severe injury to his hamstring playing for the Dolphins in the CSA T20 Challenge final in Potchefstroom earlier this month.

The squad will depart for Australia on 1 December and as part of their preparation, Dean Elgar’s side will play an unofficial fourday match against a Cricket Australia XI from 9-12 December at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane ahead of the first Test.