Latest news with #Proteas
NDTV
34 minutes ago
- Sport
- NDTV
South Africa To Play Zimbabwe As Warm-Up For WTC Final Against Australia
South Africa will play against with Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up match from June 3 at the Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Sussex, England, as per the ICC official website. This will serve as key preparation for the Proteas ahead of their all-important World Test Championship Final at the Oval against Australia starting June 11. South Africa last featured in the longest format in a 2-0 home series win over Pakistan in January 2025, and this warm-up against their neighbours will provide them with a chance to acclimatise to red-ball cricket ahead of the Ultimate Test. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are coming off in a one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge, their first Test on English soil in two decades, a landmark moment in their cricketing journey. Despite England winning the contest by an innings and 45 runs, Zimbabwe had plenty of moments to remember from the game, especially Brian Bennett's fighting ton in the first innings. Zimbabwe will be without the services of Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, but are otherwise expected to field a strong outfit, with the likes of Sean Williams, Bennett, Victor Nyauchi, Clive Madande, and Craig Ervine in the mix. South Africa Squad for the WTC 2025 Final: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy. Zimbabwe Squad: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Alex Falao, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams. Listen to the latest songs, only on
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas banking on 'human element' ahead of WTC final at Lords
PROTEAS top order batter Tristaan Stubbs will be looking to exploit the Australians' human insecurities when they face off in the World Test Championship in London. | Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers However, that is not the mood in the Proteas Test camp, as top-order batter Tristan Stubbs revealed. The Proteas batting unit has been diagnosed as the weak link due to the lack of experience in Test match cricket, and also due to the unit not having played against a potent bowling attack this World Test Championship cycle. Throughout the build-up, the Proteas' weaknesses have been thoroughly discussed, and very little has been said about the Australian Test team and their disadvantages. THE Proteas Test team landed in the United Kingdom over the weekend, and the full squad will start their first preparations as a group for the upcoming World Test Championship final at Lord's staring on June 11. The 24-year-old emphasised that the Australians, despite being the defending champions and their vast experience of high-pressure games, are also human and they would be nervous just as much going into Lord's. Having played with Australian opening bowler Mitchell Starc at the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League over the past two months, Stubbs' claim is warranted. "I played with him (Starc). The biggest thing is they're also human. They have the same thoughts we have, which you sometimes forget because they've won these big games. They're also a bit nervous. Don't use that as a headline," chuckled Stubbs. "They're just as scared as we are. They have the same fears, so that bodes well. They also have insecurities." Right from the start of his career, coach Shukri Conrad was clear about the role that he wanted Stubbs to play in the Test team. The coach wanted Stubbs to bat at three. However, the 24-year-old has found himself batting at different positions in the order in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle for a host of different reasons. Many thought that the youngster would be deterred by the varying batting positions and perhaps lack an understanding of his role in the team. However, Stubbs told the media that he is not deterred. "My whole career, every team I play for, I have a different role, so it's nothing new. One day I'm batting at three, another day I'm batting at six. I don't mind it," said Stubbs. "It helps the team, wherever they need, I can mould my game to that role. Once you've batted at three, you face the harder stuff with the new ball. It's pretty much like batting later in a one-day game. The situation tells you that it might be flat, and you might be able to score a bit quicker. "It might be overcast, you might have to come in and dig in. It's more of your game plan's role, the situation way up top. You know, okay, I'm going to come in, new ball, it's going to move around." Having not played much red ball cricket this year, Stubbs and the rest of the batting unit will have a much-needed time in the middle next week as they are set to play against Zimbabwe in a once-off Four-Day warm-up match.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"Will Never Be 'Mr-I-Apologise' Too Much": Kagiso Rabada Sorry About Drug Use
South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, who had tested positive for recreational drug use and served a one-month ban as punishment, isn't looking to be "Mr-I-Apologise" too much, reported ESPNcricinfo. Rabada, who represented Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025, flew back to South Africa from India in March, and the franchise at that moment described the reason for return was down to "personal reasons." After a couple of weeks, the facts of his wrongdoings were disclosed. Rabada returned to Gujarat's camp after the end of his month-long ban and made two more appearances in the group stage. The 30-year-old had issued a statement in which he apologised to fans and outlined his intention to play for South Africa again. "As you would have seen in my statement, there are some people who would have been disappointed. And to those people, I'm deeply sorry. The people closest to me are the ones I feel I let down. But life moves on. I'll never be 'Mr-I-Apologise' too much. But I'll never condone that action," Rabada said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. Rabada will link up with his Proteas compatriots as they gear up for their high-stakes World Test Championship final against the defending champions Australia, scheduled to be held on June 11 at the iconic Lord's. If required, the right-arm seamer looks forward to interacting with his teammates and clearing the air about the incident. "I think I owe it to them [to talk about what happened] - they're my teammates. We've come from so far, you know, and to my closest people, I owe it to them. Look, this is not an ideal situation. I don't need too many pats on the back here," Rabada said. "I'm going to be joining with them again. I've already spoken to them, and I guess we can do so in more detail when we get together for an extended amount of time," he added. Rabada reflected on the time he spent away from the game and the smooth handling of the entire process by all the parties involved. "The decision to come back early [from the IPL] was brilliant, and that's a decision that I made. I could have tried to contest it and whatnot, but coming home was the best option, and I was in good hands. All the parties that were involved made the whole process smooth. I think, as a player, and a man, people will have their different opinions. I can live with that," Rabada added.
Int'l Cricket Council
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Proteas face Zimbabwe before World Test Championship Final
South Africa are all set to take on Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up match from June 3 in England. The contest will be played at Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Sussex. This will serve as key preparation for the Proteas ahead of their all-important World Test Championship Final at the Oval against Australia starting June 11. South Africa last featured in the longest format in a 2-0 home series win over Pakistan in January 2025, and this warm-up against their neighbours will provide them with a chance to acclimatise to red-ball cricket ahead of the Ultimate Test. South Africa Squad for the WTC 2025 Final: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are coming off a historic appearance in a one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge, their first Test on English soil in two decades, a landmark moment in their cricketing journey. Despite England winning the contest by an innings and 45 runs, Zimbabwe had plenty of moments to remember from the game, especially Brian Bennett's fighting ton in the first innings. Zimbabwe will be without the services of Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, but are otherwise expected to field a strong outfit, with the likes of Sean Williams, Bennett, Victor Nyauchi, Clive Madande, and Craig Ervine in the mix. The warm-up fixture against South Africa marks another significant step for Zimbabwe, serving as a key rehearsal ahead of their two-Test home series against the same opponents in Bulawayo, slated for June and July. Zimbabwe Squad: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Alex Falao, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams. The Chevrons are also slated to host New Zealand for a two-Test series later in the summer. ICC World Test Championship Final, 2025NewsSouth AfricaZimbabwe
The Star
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Kagiso Rabada vows to rise above media scrutiny ahead of World Test Championship final
FOLLOWING the recent drug scandal, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada vowed that he will not be slowed down in the World Test Championship final, regardless of what the English, Australian media or the Australian players throw at him. With the Australian team known for their bully mentality and approach to the game, it goes without saying that they will use it in an attempt to deter Rabada from the job at hand. The media in the United Kingdom is known for its critical approach, especially when professional athletes have been found in the wrong, as in Rabada's case. However, the 30-year-old is fully aware of what lies ahead as they land in London today, having flown out from OR Tambo International Airport on Friday. "That doesn't change if I'm playing the game of cricket. That's just what we have to deal with as sportsmen, as athletes. Any verbal abuse or if the media wants to say something about you, it's normal. That's the field that we play in," Rabada told the media on Friday. "You can't be ignorant of it, you just have to be aware of it 100 per cent, but I don't think it's anything that's going to slow me down." With the fast bowler set to lead the bowling attack in what is undoubtedly the biggest Test match of their careers, Rabada emphasised that he is still focused on his role despite all the off-field drama that follows him. 'It's always been about cricket . Unfortunately, as athletes, we are always going to be in the public eye. So a lot of things are going to be known about us than someone who's not in the public eye. It's not going to be the same thing for someone who's not (in the public eye)," said Rabada. "It's the territory that we're in and moving into the World Test Championship, the focus is simple. The focus is really simple. It's about going there to perform. That's the whole reason that we're going there." The last time the Proteas played at Lord's, they beat England by an innings with Rabada having taken a five-wicket haul and thereby slotting himself into the honours board at Lord's. The fast bowler highlighted that this time around he the team's success is more important than individual success. The 30-year-old reiterated that he has learnt his lessons from his ban and that he is grateful to be playing the game he loves again. "Lord's is a special ground and I'm glad to be on the honours board there. To be there along with some great company. So hopefully I can get on it again. But if I don't get on it and we win, I'd rather take that," said Rabada. If I had to elaborate a bit more and move away from it and see how it influenced me, I think it led me to a bit of introspection about myself, and took some time away from the game. The biggest thing that I took from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love, and I'm just glad to be back playing again. The decision to come back early was brilliant. I think that's a decision that I made. Could have tried to contest it and whatnot. I think that in my statement, I was very sincere about how I feel about it. I think as a player and as a man, people will have their different opinions about it, and I can live with that. "There will be people who will be for you, there will be people who are against you and I can live with that. That's fine. (5:47) But I know that I can still play the game of cricket, and nothing changes. "I'm going to keep playing for the country, keep doing my best, and live with whatever comes my way. The world doesn't revolve around me. There are people out there who are going through a lot worse. "
