South Africa is set to take on Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series to kick off the next cycle of the World Test Championship. The newly crowned WTC winners will be without some of their key names in the team that had beaten Australia in the finals. Temba Bavuma is out of the series due to injury, while the likes of Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada have been rested.
Considering their current form, South Africa will be starting as the favourites for the series. Keshav Maharaj will be leading the side in Bavuma’s absence for the series. The tour also features exciting talents like Lhuan Dre-Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, who are in line for their Test debuts.
Here is the likely XI for SA vs ZIM
Top order

Lhuan Dre-Pretorius has been touted as one of the best young talents in South Africa for his aggressive batting. The 19-year-old has already impressed with the bat in first-class cricket, scoring 485 runs from seven games with an average of 60 and scoring three centuries and a fifty. Zubair Hamza has already played eight Test matches, scoring 307 runs, and will be keen to do well on his recall to the side.
Middle Order

Left-handed batter Tony de Zorzi could bat in the middle-order to give the much-needed stability with Bavuma and Markram being absent. Brevis, who has been in great batting form, will be batting at number four to show his skills with the bat in the longest format of the game. David Bedingham is one of the most senior batters in the side.
Lower-order

Kyle Verreynne will keep his spot as the leading wicket keeper and batter for the touring side during the two-match series. Wian Mulder played a key role with the bat and ball for his side in the WTC finals and will want to keep his form going. Corbin Bosch is a very good batter in the lower order and has already scored a fifty in the Test format. Bosch is also very good with the ball with the ability to bowl at 90 miles per hour.
Tail enders

Keshav Maharaj needs one more wicket to complete 200 test wickets and become the ninth South African to achieve the feat. Lungi Ngidi has played 20 Test matches and taken 58 wickets so far. Ngidi will be the leading pacer for his side, with Rabada being rested for the series. Kwena Maphaka is one of the most promising pacers with good speeds and will be keen to add to his tally of wickets during the tour.
SA vs ZIM
LD Pretorius, Z Hamza, TD Zorzi, D Bedingham, D Brevis, K Verreynne, W Mulder, C Bosch, K Maharaj, L Ngidi, K Maphaka.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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