..Keshav Maharaj to lead South Africa

SOUTH Africa’s title-winning captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain. Keshav Maharaj will takeover as the captain for the red-ball series starting from 28 June.

Bavuma sustained the injury during day three of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s while batting in the second innings. He continued to bat with pain and put on a fight with a well-made half century, stitching up a match-winning partnership with Aiden Markram.

Bavuma is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury, while experienced Maharaj will lead the side, which consists of five uncapped players.

The Proteas had faced Zimbabwe in a warm-up fixture, before taking on Australia for the Ultimate Test at the Home of Cricket, where they were crowned the Test champions.

Proteas will take on Zimbabwe in the first Test on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 06 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

South Africa Test Squad against Zimbabwe

Keshav Maharaj (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi*, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne and Codi Yusuf.

Fixtures

28 June-02 July, First Test, Bulawayo

06-10 July, Second Test, Bulawayo (ICC Media)