South Africa include Rabada in preliminary squad for Australia Test series

South Africa have named an 18-member preliminary squad for their three-match home Test series against Australia, with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada included despite currently being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Rabada is expected to have time to recover before the first Test, with the squad scheduled to assemble in Durban on 1 October.

Fellow pacers Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi have been left out after being ruled out with hamstring injuries.

Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje and Dane Paterson have been recalled to the squad for the series, which will be played at three coastal venues expected to offer favourable conditions for fast bowlers.

Batter Marques Ackerman is the only uncapped player in the squad. The 30-year-old has scored more than 1,000 runs in his last 10 red-ball appearances for South Africa A at an average of 82.92.

Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy are the specialist spin options, while captain Temba Bavuma can also call on part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram.

“We’ve selected a preliminary squad because we have an extended build-up to the first Test, with the group getting together in Durban on 1 October,” head coach Shukri Conrad said.

The first Test will be played in Durban from 9 to 13 October, followed by the second in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October and the third in Cape Town from 27 to 31 October.

South Africa squad

Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.