Rabada faces race against time for Australia Tests

Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been included in South Africa’s preliminary squad for the three-Test home series against Australia, but his participation in the opening match will depend on his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The first Test is scheduled for October 9 in Durban, with Rabada’s fitness set to be assessed during an intra-squad match next week.

Firdose Moonda reports for Cricinfo that coach Shukri Conrad wants the fast bowler given as much time as possible before a final decision is made.

Conrad said the assessment would consider Rabada’s performance in the three-day match and the response of his injury afterwards, rather than selecting him simply because of the importance of the series.

Several other fast bowlers are unavailable. Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka have not been considered because of hamstring problems.

Anrich Nortje has consequently been included in the expanded squad and could make his first Test appearance since March 2023. Although no longer centrally contracted, Nortje has continued to prepare extensively for a return to international cricket.

Gerald Coetzee is also back in the Test group after returning from injury in the recent ODI series against Australia.

The pace options include Coetzee, Nortje, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson, while South Africa have also selected spinners Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy.

The only uncapped player in the squad is Marques Ackerman, who has scored more than 1,000 runs for South Africa A. He will compete for a top-three position alongside Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder. David Bedingham has also entered the selection discussion after scoring two centuries for Western Province in the latest domestic first-class round.

Dewald Brevis has been left out, with Conrad indicating that the batter is viewed as a stronger option for Test cricket in subcontinental conditions. South Africa will assemble in Durban on October 1.

The series also marks Australia’s first Test visit to South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Conrad has urged supporters to create an intense atmosphere without crossing the line into personal abuse.