Pacer returns in South Africa squad for tri-series opener in Pakistan
The Proteas have announced squad for the first ODI of the tri-series involving hosts Pakistan and New Zealand ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Gerald Coetzee has been included in South Africa's squad for their tri-series opener against New Zealand on February 10 in Lahore.
Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach, named a 12-man squad for the first match of the series, including Coetzee, who has recovered from a left injury setback.
Every Gerald Coetzee wicket from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup | CWC23
Coetzee played his last match for South Africa before the injury setback against Sri Lanka in the first match of a two-match Test series on November 27, 2024.
For the opening match of the ODI tri-series, South Africa also have an array of new options to look at with six uncapped players also added in the Temba Bavuma-led side.
Meeka-eel Prince, Gideon Peters, Eathan Bosch, and Mihali Mpongwana are all uncapped at the international level so far, while Matthew Breetzke has already featured in Tests and T20Is, and Senuran Muthusamy has played four Tests for the Proteas.
The squad will be updated for the remainder of the series following the conclusion of the ongoing SA20 league in South Africa, with players like Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen set to be available from the second game of the series.
The tri-series in Pakistan comes as a precursor to the ICC Champions Trophy which begins February 19.
South Africa squad (For first ODI):
Temba Bavuma (capt), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Meeka-eel Prince, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne