Maharaj and Mulder named in South Africa test squad

CENTURION: South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming test series against Pakistan on Wednesday, which is set to kick off on December 26.

South Africa are betting on Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder, who both suffered injuries recently, to be fit and ready for the test series. Maharaj strained his groin moments before the beginning of the first ODI during the warm-ups, while Mulder broke his right middle finger against Sri Lanka last month.

Maharaj is set to have a scan in the near future, which will determine whether he will be ready for the first test. Mulder is also set to have another scan, but according to ESPNcricinfo, Test coach Shukri Conrad said the Proteas batter has begun hitting balls and working with the fielding coach.

The first test will take place in Centurion, on a pitch that is notoriously friendly to seam bowlers. This means that while Maharaj’s absence may not be the biggest blow to South Africa, Mulder’s absence will be severly felt, especially considering the plethora of other injured fast-bowlers who coiuldn’t be selected.

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In Mulder has played 17 test matches, with his best bowling performance coming against West Indies earlier this year, when he took six wickets across both innings. His best batting performance came a month after that in October of this year, when he scored his first and only century against Bangladesh. Mulder, 26, has played in Centurion twice, in 2020 against Sri Lanka when he took five wickets, and a year later in 2021, against India, when he took none.

Maharaj, 34, has more test experience, competing in 56 matches over the last eight years. The South African spinner’s best performance came against Sri Lanka in 2018, when he took 12 wickets across both innings, including nine in the first.

WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

South Africa’s 2-0 sweep of Sri Lanka last month put them at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table, with 63.33 per cent of points won, as they have secured 76 out of a possible 120 from the 10 matches they have played. Australia is currently second with 58.89 per cent and India is in third with 55.88.

If South Africa win one of their two games against Pakistan, they will qualify for the WTC finals. If the Proteas lose both, the door will be open for Australia and India to secure a spot for themselves.

SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST SQUAD

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

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