South Africa won the coin toss and decided to bat first against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Saturday. The Proteas recently claimed the World Test Championship title against Australia at Lord's cricket ground. Captain Keshav Maharaj leads a team missing seven players from that victory. Coach Shukri Conrad uses these matches to evaluate players competing for future selection. The injured Temba Bavuma cannot participate as regular captain.
Three cricketers will make their test debuts for South Africa during this series. Batsmen Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius earn their first caps alongside fast bowler Codi Yusuf. Left-arm paceman Kwena Maphaka spearheads the bowling attack without star performers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. Lungi Ngidi remains available for the second test match next week.
The countries have not played test cricket against each other since 2017. South Africa last toured Zimbabwe eleven years ago for a test series. These two matches do not count toward the current World Test Championship cycle. The Proteas begin their title defense away against Pakistan starting next October.
Zimbabwe fields Brian Bennett and Takudzawanashe Kaitano as opening batsmen. Captain Craig Ervine anchors the middle order alongside Sean Williams and Wessly Madhevere. Tafadzwa Tsiga keeps wicket for the home team. Fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga lead Zimbabwe's pace attack.
Three cricketers will make their test debuts for South Africa during this series. Batsmen Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius earn their first caps alongside fast bowler Codi Yusuf. Left-arm paceman Kwena Maphaka spearheads the bowling attack without star performers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. Lungi Ngidi remains available for the second test match next week.
The countries have not played test cricket against each other since 2017. South Africa last toured Zimbabwe eleven years ago for a test series. These two matches do not count toward the current World Test Championship cycle. The Proteas begin their title defense away against Pakistan starting next October.
Zimbabwe fields Brian Bennett and Takudzawanashe Kaitano as opening batsmen. Captain Craig Ervine anchors the middle order alongside Sean Williams and Wessly Madhevere. Tafadzwa Tsiga keeps wicket for the home team. Fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga lead Zimbabwe's pace attack.
