Kyle Verreynne Proteas

Kyle Verreynne. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

PROTEAS PREDICTION: Proteas must pick Verreynne AND Rickelton

On the eve of the Proteas’ highly-anticipated second Test against India, this is the lineup that we think should take to the field on Monday.

Kyle Verreynne Proteas

Kyle Verreynne. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

The Proteas began the three-Test series against India on Boxing Day, but slumped to a disappointing defeat that was ultimately overshadowed by the shock decision made by stalwart Quinton de Kock to retire from red-ball cricket at the age of 29.

READ | OFF-FIELD ISSUES SAID TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO DE KOCK’S SHOCK RETIREMENT

Below we’ve predicted the team that we think should be selected, which features Kyle Verreynne for just a third Test appearance, and an opportunity for recalled fast bowler Duanne Olivier, as well as talented Ryan Rickelton.

READ | HOW PROTEAS-INDIA SERIES WAS SAVED

The team we think the Proteas should field:

1 Dean Elgar

2 Aiden Markram

3 Ryan Rickelton

4 Rassie van der Dussen

5 Temba Bavuma

6 Kyle Verreynne (wk)

7 Wiaan Mulder

8 Marco Jansen

9 Kagiso Rabada

10 Lungi Ngidi

11 Duanne Olivier

Rickleton could take on the keeping duties, but it’s as a batsman alone that an opportunity beckons, with the 25-year-old averaging just under 50 in first class cricket, having scored nine hundreds and nine fifties from just 56 innings. He also made hundreds in two of his three first-class innings this season, averaging 93.66.

It means Keegan Petersen would miss out, while Verreynne should be the man to don the gloves in the absence of De Kock, while looking to stabilise the middle order.

Four frontline pace bowlers make the cut, with Keshav Maharaj left out in our selection, with Aiden Markram able to offer a part-time spin alternative. Wiaan Mulder serves as the all-rounder once more, while Boxing Day debutant Marco Jansen did enough to earn another opportunity.

Finally, there is an exciting recall for Duanne Olivier, who will offer a real pace threat against India.

READ | PROTEAS SUFFER MASSIVE BLOW ON EVE OF INDIA SERIES

South Africa

Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Peterson, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier

India

Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj

Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Allahudien Paleker (both RSA)

TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock (RSA)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Schedule

1st Test: South Africa lost to India by 113 runs at SuperSport Park, Centurion

2nd Test: 3-7 January – Wanderers, Johannesburg – 10:00

3rd Test: 11-15 January – Newlands, Cape Town – 10:30