Kagiso Rabada in Lions squad for Sunfoil Series opener

Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada has been named in the Lions squad for the opening match of the Sunfoil series, the domestic four-day tournament against the Warriors at the Wanderers next week. The match is set to begin on Tuesday.

The first round of domestic matches will serve as the only chance for new Proteas coach Ottis Gibson to get a closer look at some players before his first assignment as coach in the first Test against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom on September 28. Rabada’s inclusion is good news for South Africa given that Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn have been ruled out of the tournament and will certainly not be available for the first Bangladesh Test.

Proteas and injuries

It was initially understood that all the Proteas would be available for the first round of Sunfoil Series fixtures, in preparation for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. However, in Philander’s case, the fact that the Proteas have not had any cricket for the past month since the conclusion of the England tour, means that Philander was on an even longer break due to not playing the fourth and final Test due to a back problem. He has also struggled with a comeback from an ankle injury and a viral ailment in the first and third Tests in England respectively.

Even though Steyn was optimistic earlier this month of a return to competitive cricket after a 12-month layoff due to a shoulder injury, he has now decided that his body is not yet ready to return to the rigours of first-class cricket and will wait for the Bangladesh Test out too, if he is planning to prolong his career.

Stephen Cook will captain the Lions while he will be desperate for runs to show that he still has a Test future, while Proteas limited-overs regular Dwaine Pretorius is also included in the team.

Lions squad: 

Stephen Cook (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Omphile Ramela, Rassie vd Dussen, Nicky vd Bergh, Dwaine Pretorius, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Craig Alexander, Ayavuya Myoli, Dominic Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder