Migael Pretorius, 25 years and 34 first-class matches old, has earned a maiden call-up up to the South Africa squad for the two-Test series at home, starting on Boxing Day in Centurion. The news on Kagiso Rabada and Dwaine Pretorius is not as happy, with Cricket South Africa saying that the two “have not yet been medically cleared to participate in the tour”, and that has cleared the way for the new face to be added as the 16th member of the set-up.
“We’re pleased to include Migael in the Proteas Test squad for the Sri Lanka series. We’re big on rewarding consistently good work and the player has done a lot to make a case for himself,” CSA convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang said in a statement. “We hope that this experience will be a great learning one for him and that this can serve as encouragement for players across the country, showing them that their chances may not be as far off as they think.”
Migael Pretorius has had a great time in the ongoing South African first-class season for the Knights, and is currently third in the list of top wicket-takers, with 19 strikes in five matches, with best match returns of 7 for 102, achieved against the Dolphins last month. Overall, he has 121 first-class wickets, as well as an average of 25.44 with the bat.
South Africa had earlier handed out maiden call-ups to Sarel Erwee, Kyle Verreynne and Glenton Stuurman.
The South Africa Test squad will assemble in Pretoria on Saturday to begin their preparation ahead of the first Test.
Squad: Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius
