After the humiliating loss by 214 runs to Australia in Durban, the South African cricket board have taken a huge call. They have decided to drop 26-year-old Tristan Stubbs for the second Test match, which is slated to begin this Sunday at the St. George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Stubbs scored 32 runs in the first innings, which came off 66 balls before falling to Pat Cummins in the 49th over. In the second innings, the right-handed batter scored just one run and was dismissed by the Aussie captain for the second time in the game.
Cricket South Africa announced that Matthew Breeztke will replace the Delhi Capitals star for the second Test match. Opener Tony de Zorzi is still injured.
The statement from CSA read: “There is one change to the squad from the first Test, with batter Matthew Breetzke replacing Tristan Stubbs, while Ryan Rickelton will take over the wicketkeeping duties in the second Test.”
Tristan has so far played 15 Tests for the national side, scoring 792 runs at an average of 30, and has hit two centuries and three fifties. The 27-year-old Breetzke has played two Tests and amassed 14 runs at an average of 4.66. He was in great form with the bat during the ODI series against the Aussies, scoring 171 runs from three games at an average of 57. He also hit one century.
The statement from CSA also suggests that Kyle Verreynne could be dropped for the second game. The 29-year-old posted 14 runs and managed to hold onto two catches in Australia’s first innings.
The hosts will be bolstered by the return of Kagiso Rabadawho missed the first Test and is coming back after a long injury layoff. The 31-year-old has been one of the best pacers in the world.
Updated South Africa squad for 2nd Test vs AUS
Temba Bavuma (C), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne.