South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad has stated that the team will give ace fast bowler Kagiso Rabada every opportunity to prove his fitness for the first Test against Australia. Rabada, who injured his hamstring in pre-season, was named in an expanded 18-man preliminary squad for the three-match series against Australia. Conrad emphasized that the team won't be reckless in making their decision about whether Rabada starts at Kingsmead.
Rabada's injury was initially reported to be severe, potentially causing him to miss the entire series against Australia and possibly only return in time for Tests against England in December. However, the 31-year-old has made rapid progress with his rehabilitation. Conrad expects Rabada to play a role at some stage in the series, which includes Tests in Gqeberha and Cape Town. The team's management will use all available scientific data to help make their decision.
The preliminary squad will begin an extended week of training at Kingsmead on Thursday, including a two-day intra-squad practice match. This match will provide valuable information about the players' current form, allowing the team to make informed decisions about the final squad. Conrad stated that they will be smart about the process and use the two-day match to assess Rabada's fitness.
The Proteas have suffered a series of injuries to fast bowlers ahead of a busy international summer. Lungi Ngidi, Ottniel Baartman, and Kwena Maphaka, all with hamstring injuries, were not considered for the Australian series. Conrad described the situation as a "crisis" and emphasized the need to get things right. The team has called up several players, including Dane Paterson, Gerald Coetzee, and Anrich Nortje, to the preliminary squad.
Anrich Nortje, who last played a Test in 2023, has been in discussions with the team about making a comeback. Conrad confirmed that Nortje indicated his availability for all formats at the T20 World Cup in February. Nortje's inclusion provides an opportunity for the team to assess his current form and intensity. His last Test was against the West Indies in 2023, and he has since done extensive work to regain his fitness.
Conrad expressed his satisfaction with Nortje's preparation, highlighting his professionalism and attention to detail. However, Nortje is not guaranteed a place in the final squad when it is trimmed to 15 players after the training match. The team will consider whether a Test match is the best opportunity for Nortje to return to international cricket or if another format would be more suitable.
The Proteas will begin their series against Australia on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban. The team's management will continue to monitor Rabada's progress and make a decision about his inclusion in the starting lineup based on his fitness and performance in the training match. The team's goal is to ensure that Rabada is fully recovered and ready to contribute to the team's success.
Key points
- The Proteas will give Kagiso Rabada time to prove his fitness for the first Test against Australia.
- Anrich Nortje has been included in the preliminary squad as part of the team's efforts to bolster their fast-bowling options.
- The team's management will use all available scientific data to help make their decision about Rabada's inclusion in the starting lineup.
