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South Africa have named their playing XI for the first Test against the West Indies set to get underway on Wednesday, August 7 at Port of Spain in Trinidad. Tristan Stubbs will make his return to the longest format for the Proteas, after playing his debut Test earlier this year against India. Meanwhile, the tourists have opted for only two pacers in the form of Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada.
The Proteas had last toured the West Indies for Test matches in 2021 and won both of them hosted by Gros Islet. The tourists won the opening Test by an innings and 63 runs and the second game by 158 runs. Temba Bavuma and his men have also not played Tests since January when they hosted India for a two-match series.
West Indies, meanwhile, are coming off a 3-0 series loss on English soil and will inevitably face a strong South African side. The likes of Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, and Jayden Seales were some of the brightest spots emerging from the England tour and they will be looking to build on that.
South Africa playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Ryan Rickleton, Kyle Verreyne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
"He's quite an imposing character" - South Africa head coach on Tristan Stubbs
With Stubbs set to become South Africa's new No.3 in Tests, head coach Shukri Conrad was optimistic of the 23-year-old coming good at what will be a tough position. As quoted by ESPNcricinfo, he stated:
"Technique is obviously a big factor because you're going to be facing the new ball the bulk of the time. And he's quite an imposing character, a big, strong, strapping boy, and I quite like that. I like the fact that at the top of the order, there are quite imposing guys; guys that have got a good aura about them and strong body language."
The Proteas will also play three T20Is following the Test series, beginning on August 24.
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