South Africa have announced their starting XI for the first Test match of a two-match series against the West Indies. The match will be played at the iconic Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
In a major development, T20 superstar Tristan Stubbs is set to bat at the crucial number 3 position. This will be Stubbs’ second Test match of his career. It will be a big opportunity for the youngster as he looks to cement his place in one of the toughest positions in Test cricket.
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South Africa announce starting XI for first Test match against West Indies
South Africa’s batting order looks more or less settled, with Stubbs’ promotion to No. 3 being the only major change. Apart from Stubbs, the Proteas have opted for two wicketkeepers in the starting XI, with both Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton playing.
Verreynne will don the wicketkeeping gloves, while Rickelton will play as a specialist batsman. Left-hander Tony de Zorzi, who impressed in the Test series against India last year, has retained his place in the starting XI and will open the innings alongside Aiden Markram.
Captain Temba Bavuma has returned to don the national colours and will bat at number 4. Another player who has impressed in his short Test career so far is middle-order batsman David Bedingham. Bedingham has retained his place in the starting XI and is slotted below Bavuma at number 5.
Surprisingly, South Africa have opted for a long batting line-up, with all-rounder Wiaan Mulder at No. 8. Mulder is a batting all-rounder who also bowls medium pace, so he can be useful in favourable conditions.
Another big surprise was the omission of left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger, who was impressive in the Test series against India in 2023. South Africa have opted for just two frontline fast bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, with Wiaan Mulder as the third seamer in the playing XI.
Keshav Maharaj is the only specialist spinner in the starting XI, with Aiden Markram also expected to get rid of his arm at some point. Offspinner Dane Piedt has also been left out.
South Africa’s starting XI for the first Test against the West Indies
Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Ricklelton Kyle Verreynne (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
Shukri Conrad backs Tristan Stubbs to succeed at No. 3
Meanwhile, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has backed his new Test No.3 Tristan Stubbs, saying Stubbs has an imposing character that will help him make the No.3 spot his own.
“Technique is obviously a big factor because you’re going to be facing a new ball most of the time. And he’s quite an imposing character, a big, strong, stocky lad, and I quite like that. I like the fact that at the top of the order, there are quite imposing lads; lads who have a good aura around them and strong body language,” Condrad was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
South Africa currently sit seventh on the points table with two wins and two losses so far. Meanwhile, West Indies are lurking at the bottom of the points table with 1 win from 7 tests.
