Proteas Ryan Rickelton

Ryan Rickelton in action for the Proteas. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

JUST IN: Proteas lose toss, put in to bat by England

The Proteas will bat first in the third and final Test against England after captain Dean Elgar lost the toss at The Oval on Thursday.

Proteas Ryan Rickelton

Ryan Rickelton in action for the Proteas. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

The Proteas made a powerful start to the three-Test series against England as they won the opening encounter in emphatic fashion. However, the hosts bounced back to win the second Test by an innings and 85 runs.

The decisive third Test gets underway at The Oval on Thursday, and there is no doubt that the shaky Proteas batting lineup will have a massive task at hand.

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Notably, Rassie van der Dussen sustained a hand injury while fielding on the opening day of the second Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, and Ryan Rickelton now comes into the Test side on the back of a decent run of form for English County Championship team Northamptonshire.

“He’s our next batter in and he’s had a decent stint in the United Kingdom where he’s been playing County Cricket,” captain Dean Elgar said. “It’s his time to shine and I’m confident that he’ll be filling that spot that Rassie has left.”

There are other significant changes as Khay Zondo comes in for Aiden Markram, while Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen are also added to the team, with Lungi Ngidi battling an injury niggle.

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Elgar said there was a real excitement in the team about this crucial Test match.

“There’s definitely going to be a winner in this Test. There’s no doubt. With the brand of cricket the teams have been playing, along with the styles, there will be a result.

“With the weather that is around, we can’t control that. It is what it is, but we do expect that there will be a result in this Test. The series is at 1-1 and we’re going to go in with a result in mind and we have to give our best effort for that.”

UPDATED PROTEAS TEST SQUAD AGAINST ENGLAND 

Dean Elgar (captain, Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Simon Harmer (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Lutho Sipamla (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Western Province), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors)  

South Africa tour to England itinerary 

Tests 

17-21 August   

England lost to South Africa by an innings and 12 runs – Lord’s Cricket Ground, London   

25 – 29 August   

England beat South Africa by an innings and 85 runs – Old Trafford, Manchester   

8-12 September  

England v South Africa – Oval, London    

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