Latest news with #post-WTC
India.com
13 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Dewald Brevis Set For Long-Awaited Test Debut As South Africa Begin New Era In Bulawayo Against Zimbabwe
South Africa's 21-year-old batting sensation Dewald Brevis is all set to make his much-anticipated Test debut as the Proteas gear up to face Zimbabwe in the first match of the two-Test series starting June 28 at Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo. Brevis, widely celebrated for his fearless stroke-play and explosive white-ball performances, will finally have the opportunity to bring his flair to the red-ball format. With several senior players absent, South Africa will field a youthful, revamped side in this transitional phase. The team will be led by Keshav Maharaj, who steps in as captain following a hamstring injury to regular skipper Temba Bavuma. Bavuma recently guided South Africa to their first-ever ICC World Test Championship title, defeating Australia in the final, but now watches from the sidelines as a new generation takes charge. Key players from that historic final, including Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, have been rested, paving the way for a fresh opening duo in Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. The middle order sees a promising mix of youth and skill with Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Brevis, and David Bedingham, while Wiaan Mulder provides the all-round option. In the lower order, Kyle Verreynne and Maharaj offer experience and resilience, while Corbin Bosch strengthens the team as a versatile all-rounder. South Africa's bowling attack will be led by emerging fast bowlers Codi Yusuf and 18-year-old left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, who will share the new ball. They'll be supported by Mulder and Bosch, with Maharaj heading the spin department. As South Africa enters a new phase post-WTC glory, the Bulawayo Test represents a golden opportunity for Brevis and several uncapped or inexperienced players to make their mark in the longest format of the game. South Africa's Playing XI vs Zimbabwe for 1st Test: Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne,Corbin Bosch,Keshav Maharaj (C), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Why don't we leave India-England?' Matthew Hayden drags Kagiso Rabada in frame, Kevin Pietersen forced to change topic
The World Test Championship final is officially in the rear-view mirror, and attention will gradually turn to the Indian tour of England Test series beginning next week. However, maybe not quite at this moment, as broadcasters trying to balance the post-WTC analysis and presentation with a preview for the upcoming five-match series led to an awkward moment at the Lord's Cricket Ground. After the trophy and medal presentations had been completed, and with the South African players soaking in an electric afternoon at a packed Lord's, two members of the broadcast panel in Kevin Pietersen and Matthew Hayden were asked to provide a sneak preview at the upcoming series. While Pietersen provided his thoughts on the contest between the country he represented against one of the strongest teams in the world, his partner in the moment wasn't too pleased at the distraction from celebrating the South African cricket team. Hayden briefly exited the camera's field of vision and grabbed one of the heroes of the WTC Final and asked him to enter the frame. As a result, he invited Kagiso Rabada to join the pair and provide his thoughts on the final, South Africa's first ICC success at a senior level in 27 years. Thus, he forced Pietersen to take a quick pivot from the topic being discussed and back to the remarkable Test match they had just witnessed. 'Why don't we leave the India-England series because right now we have an absolute legend with us in Kagiso Rabada,' said the former England batter hastily, turning attention back towards the feats achieved by the South African players in winning this historic match. Earlier in this contest, Rabada had taken figures of 9-110 across two innings of work, which included a five-fer in the first innings to set up the match for the Proteas. This will be the second time that Rabada appears on the Honours Board at Lord's, following in the wake of his five-fer at the venue in a series against England in 2022. Ultimately, it was a set of heroic knocks from Aiden Markram (136) and Temba Bavuma (66), both experienced batters combining to take South Africa home in a victory that will be celebrated all across South Africa, and will long live in the sporting memory of a proud country. A first ICC win in 27 years, and once again the ICC Test Mace returns to the Proteas to commemorate a special group of players. Earlier, Pietersen provided his thoughts on the make-up of India's team for the Test series, and his thoughts on Shubman Gill's captaincy. 'I know it would have been a toss-up between him and Bumrah, but I don't know if you can say Jasprit Bumrah will play all 5 Test matches. I lean towards Shubman Gill. He will be the guy who will bear the responsibility with KL Rahul in making sure they get to some scores they need to get to. We have seen in the last 3-4 days how difficult batting can be.' Also Read: South Africa thought about retiring Temba Bavuma but Aiden Makram resisted the move "He will need to make sure he makes some good decisions as a leader and a skipper. If at the end of the day, you look at what they're up against themselves, you've got a very inexperienced bowling attack with England, but the batters are going to enjoy facing that attack, if the conditions are good,' said Pietersen about the series, before he pivoted to discussing the final itself with Rabada.
