Australia all-rounder Glen Maxwell open to new role for 2026 T20 World Cup
Australia star all-rounder Glen Maxwell has stated that he is ready to take up any new role ahead of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India next year.
Rising star Lhuan-dre Pretorius called up to South Africa A squad to tour West Indies
The tour to the Caribbean will consist of three 50-over matches and two four-day fixtures which will all be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia.
The 19-year-old Pretorius burst onto the scene in this year's SA20, hitting 347 runs in the tournament for the Paarl Royals at a strike-rate of more than 166.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter then showed he has the temperament for the longer formats after recording three hundreds in five first-class matches in the CSA 4-Day Series for the Titans.
Pretorius was also amongst the top run-scorers in the domestic 1-Day Cup, amassing 316 runs at an average of 45.14 that included two centuries.
Dolphins middle-order batter Marques Ackerman will captain the South Africa A team that features several players with Proteas experience, namely Ruan de Swardt, Bjorn Fortuin, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile and Jason Smith.
Proteas white-ball fielding coach Wandile Gwavu will oversee the tour.
Gwavu said: "This group of players was selected based on a combination of their performances, potential and specific skills that we believe will be valuable to the senior men’s team in the near future.
"With a busy international schedule ahead, the next World Test Championship cycle approaching, and the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, this tour forms an important part of our broader strategy to widen our national talent pool.
"Conditions were also a key factor in our planning. Playing all five matches at the same venue could see spin playing a major role, which is why we've opted to include four spinners in the squad. That said, we believe this group has the skill to adapt and compete, regardless of the conditions.
"Marques is no stranger to captaincy, having led the Dolphins and SA U19s previously, so appointing him as captain was an easy decision.
"Beyond his experience, he brings the right character to the role as he leads from the front and is deeply passionate about the game. I'm really looking forward to working with him on this upcoming tour."
South Africa A squad: Marques Ackerman (captain), Okuhle Cele, Ruan de Swardt, Schalk Engelbrecht, Bjorn Fortuin, Jordan Hermann, Tristan Luus, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen
South Africa A tour to West Indies fixtures:
Wednesday, 21 May: 1st one-day match
Saturday, 24 May: 2nd one-day match
Tuesday, 27 May: 3rd one-day match
Sunday, 1 June – Wednesday, 4 June: 1st four-day match
Sunday, 8 June – Wednesday, 11 June: 2nd four-day match
Proteas duo Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka included in South Africa A squad
Proteas fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka have been included in the South Africa A squads for the home series against New Zealand A that gets underway on 30 August in Benoni.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius hits century on Test debut help Proteas recover against Zimbabwe
Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest player to score a Test century for the Proteas to help the visitors recover from 55-4 to post 418-9 at stumps on day one against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
Proteas name three debutants in starting XI for first Test against Zimbabwe
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Codi Yusuf will all make their Test debuts for the Proteas against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday, stand-in captain Keshav Mahraj has confirmed.