FILE - Proteas all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy during his previous Test against the West Indies in March 2023. Muthusamy has been included in the Proteas’ Test squad for the tour of Bangladesh. FILE - Proteas all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy during his previous Test against the West Indies in March 2023. Muthusamy has been included in the Proteas’ Test squad for the tour of Bangladesh. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has recalled spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy for next month’s two-Test series away in Bangladesh.
Muthusamy has played three previous Test for South Africa, with his last outing coming against the West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion in March 2023.
The Warriors left-arm spinner is one of three spinners in the team, with Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt, who did duty in the Proteas’ previous Test series against the West Indies, also making the trip.
Conrad is taking just three front-line seamers, with Kagiso Rabada leading the attack alongside Nandre Burger and veteran Dane Paterson. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who bowled really well in the West Indies, is the other seamer option.
Muthusamy essentially replaces Lungi Ngidi in the squad from the team that did duty in the Test series against the Windies.
It could be case of Conrad loading his team all-rounders on the low and slow wickets in Bangladesh, with Mulder and Muthusamy likely to fight it out for a spot in the team depending on what the conditions will be like.
"We are likely to play three seamers maximum in Dhaka and Chattogram," said Conrad.
"At this stage it is likely to be Kagiso, Nandre and Wiaan as the all-rounder, with Dane Paterson available if conditions are suitable.
"We have three frontline spinners and all of them have the ability to step up at any time they are needed. This is a great chance for someone like Senuran, who has potential to make a mark with both bat and ball. We are really looking forward to seeing what he can offer.
"Overall, we trust the depth and versatility in our squad to meet this challenge head-on."
The Tests series in Bangladesh will go ahead after a security assessment following the deaths of more than 200 people in political protests earlier this year.
The South African squad will assemble in Pretoria on October 12 and depart for Bangladesh on October 15.
Proteas squad for Bangladesh Test tour
Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton (wkt) and Kyle Verreynne (wkt).
Fixtures:
October 21-25: First Test (Dhaka)
October 29-November 2: Second Test (Chattogram)
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