Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub
SOUTH Africa are rolling into Bulawayo with fresh faces and baby-faced batsmen, as stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj named a Proteas XI that’s more high school reunion than Test squad.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Maharaj revealed three Test debutants will start, including teenage batting sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorious, the explosive Dewald Brevis and pace prospect Codi Yusuf.
Yusuf joins the squad as an extra seamer, with the Queens wicket apparently looking flatter than a pancake, and less likely to offer turn than a broken bottle top.
Also in the mix are Mathew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka—each with just one Test under their belts. The green Proteas side will rely heavily on Maharaj himself, the only seasoned player in the lineup with 58 caps.
“It’s all about executing the basics. The pitch doesn’t scream spin, so we thought an extra seamer was the way to go,” said Maharaj, trying to sound calm while leading what some are calling South Africa’s ‘Test Tots’.
Tony de Zorzi and Breetzke will open the innings, with Wiaan Mulder up at number three. The middle order looks like an U-19 reunion, with Beddingham, Pretorious, Brevis, and Verreynne hoping to make a grown man’s impact.
The match starts at 10am sharp, and with the youthful Proteas looking to make their mark, making them a dangerous prospect for the Chevrons.
South Africa XI to face Zimbabwe:
Mathew Breetzke, Tony De Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Beddingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorious, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka.
Cricket fans, bring popcorn—this Test could be part match, part school trip.
