Proteas opt for four-pronged pace attack against Tigers in Johannesburg Test

Detailed summary

Alongside their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson, the Proteas have included pace-bowling all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen, indicating their intention to exploit the conditions at the Wanderers. Harmer is the lone specialist spinner in the attack.

South Africa have opted for a pace-heavy attack, naming four seamers and off-spinner Simon Harmer in their playing XI for the opening Test against Bangladesh at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, starting Sunday.

Alongside their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson, the Proteas have included pace-bowling all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen, indicating their intention to exploit the conditions at the Wanderers. Harmer is the lone specialist spinner in the attack.

Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman will open the batting, followed by Zubayr Hamza, captain Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton.

South Africa have made two changes to the side that secured a 176-run victory over Australia in their last Test, sealing a 2-1 series win. David Bedingham and Gerald Coetzee have made way for Hamza and Paterson.

Hamza comes into the side after an impressive showing in the recent South Africa A series against Bangladesh A, scoring 146 runs in two innings.

The upcoming series will mark Bangladesh's first Test tour of South Africa since 2022. However, the opening Test carries added significance as the Tigers are set to play at the Wanderers for the first time, despite having toured the country for Test cricket on four previous occasions.

The two sides enter the contest on the back of contrasting results. South Africa recently secured a 2-1 home series victory over Australia, while Bangladesh are coming off a 1-0 series defeat against the West Indies at home.

South Africa's playing XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Daily Star. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.