‘Special' Pretorius to make Test debut for Proteas against Zimbabwe
Even though they're missing seven players who started at Lord's and with experience severely lacking, the Proteas will feel they are favourites against their northern neighbours. They already inflicted damage on their opponents three weeks ago when Kagiso Rabada fractured opener Ben Curran's right hand with a bouncer during the Proteas' WTC warm-up match in Arundel, sidelining him for a few weeks.
But in Blessing Muzarabani Zimbabwe has a bowler who can cause the Proteas' batting line-up discomfort. The 28-year-old made his debut the last time the teams faced each other in 2017 but has grown in leaps and bounds, despite Zimbabwe's extremely limited Test schedule. He is the leading wicket-taker in Tests this year with 29 in five matches, including back-to-back five-wicket hauls in Bulawayo.
'We've identified him as one of their threats,' said Maharaj. 'He's got a bit of pace, gets a lot of bounce and he's improved a lot since we played him in 2017.'
Opener Brian Bennett also made Zimbabwe's fastest Test century last month against England, and along with skipper Craig Ervine and Sean Williams provides solidity in the home team's batting unit.
Play starts at 10am on Saturday.
South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (capt), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka
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