Zaahier Adams
Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad has bolstered his spin department for the tour to Bangladesh by recalling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy.
The two-match Test series, scheduled to start on October 21, was only confirmed yesterday after a security assessment was recently conducted by Cricket South Africa’s operations manager, team security manager, safety and security consultant, and a representative of the South African Cricketers’ Association after weeks of anti-government protests that saw long-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina forced to resign and flee the country.
The International Cricket Council also recently moved the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that was originally set to be staged in Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates, due to safety concerns. But CSA has now given the series the green light based on the recommendations made by the team after an in-loco inspection visit to Bangladesh.
The series forms an integral part of the Proteas’ bid to reach the ICC World Test Championship final as they will most likely need to win five of their remaining six Tests if they are to stand a chance of qualification for next year’s showpiece at Lord’s.
Muthusamy will form part of a spin trio that includes fellow left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Dane Piedt. The 30-year-old played the last of his three Tests in Conrad’s first match of his tenure against the West Indies last year at Centurion.
“I want to firstly thank both boards, CSA and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, for ensuring the series goes ahead,” Conrad said.
“Bangladesh is always a tough place to tour. They’ve become a formidable side at home and we have to be prepared for the challenge that awaits us. We have therefore chosen a squad for the conditions we are expecting to greet us when we get there.
“We have three frontline spinners and all of them have the ability to step up at any time when they are needed. This is a great chance for someone like Senuran, who has potential to make a mark with both bat and ball. We are really looking forward to seeing what he can offer.
“Overall, we trust the depth and versatility in our squad to meet this challenge head-on.”
Seamer Lungi Ngidi, meanwhile, has been omitted for the Bangladesh series. Ngidi played in the first Test against the Windies in Port of Spain, but was left out for the second Test.
Kagiso Rabada will be back to spearhead the Test attack along with Nandre Burger with Dane Paterson and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder providing support to the frontline seamers.
“In terms of the fast bowling personnel for Bangladesh, we (the coaches) had a nice little meeting with (former Bangladesh coach) Russell Domingo just chatting about the conditions we are expected to get there
“And after all of that, it was quite clear that on a day in Dhaka we might play three seamers, and similarly in Chattogram, we might play three seamers. It was actually no point in dragging another seamer with us if we are only ever going to play three at most.
“We felt that we needed someone like Patto (Paterson) if the conditions are quite flat if he does get on the park, someone who could give us a measure of control. Stump-to-stump sort of stuff.”
Meanwhile, the Proteas white-ball team will start a three-match ODI series against Ireland tomorrow in the UAE. The two nations recently tied the T20I series 1-1.
Proteas Test squad v Bangladesh: Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne