Senuran Muthusamy returns as South Africa name 15-man squad for two-Test tour of Bangladesh
Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced the squad for the Test tour of Bangladesh next month. The 15-man squad sees the return of spin bowler Senuran Muthusamy, who hasn't played for the national team since March 2023, as the third spinner in the touring party.
The spin-bowling all-rounder made his debut during the three-Test tour of India in 2019 and has managed two scalps with 105 runs alongside a best of 49*. The 30-year-old will partner Maharaj and Piedt during the Bangladesh tour and could also get an opportunity in the playing XI if the conditions dictate.
Matthew Breetzke, who has played eight T20Is for South Africa, is also in the squad. He was part of the touring party to the West Indies in August but failed to get a game. Dane Paterson, Nandre Burger, and Kagiso Rabada are the specialist seamers in the squad.
The tour going ahead was a doubt due to the political unrest in Bangladesh but CSA gave the green signal on Monday after its security team held an 'in-loco inspection' of Dhaka and Chattogram, the venues for the series.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Bretzkee, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickleton, Kyle Verreynne.
"They've become a formidable side at home" - South Africa coach on Bangladesh
South Africa's red-ball coach Shukri Conrad opined that the tourists must be at their best, given Bangladesh is a tough place to register a series win. Conrad stated that he has complete faith in the squad selected and said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
"I want to firstly thank both boards, Cricket South Africa and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, for ensuring the series goes ahead. Bangladesh is always a tough place to tour. They've become a formidable side at home and we have to be prepared for the challenge that awaits us.
"We have, therefore, chosen a squad for the conditions we are expecting to greet us when we get there. We are really looking forward to seeing what he can offer."
The series begins on October 21 in Dhaka while the second Test will take place in Chattogram from October 29 - November 2. The Proteas will have a camp in Pretoria from October 12-14 before leaving for Bangladesh on 15.