Tristan Stubbs has been left out of South Africa’s squad for the second Test against Australia, with Matthew Breetzke being brought into the squad in his place. Stubbs got out cheaply across both innings in the first Test, managing only 32 and 1 runs, respectively.
In a major shake-up, Kyle Verryenne has been stripped of wicketkeeping duties, with Ryan Rickelton set to assume the responsibility behind the wickets. Meanwhile, Matthew Breetzke, who was incredibly instrumental in the team’s win in the preceding ODI series, has only played two Tests for South Africa.
“Matt has been part of the squad before. The fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane and more importantly, it’s the attitude and the character Matt brings and has,” South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad said.
“With Ricks taking the gloves, there are decisions to be made over whether he does move down the order or whether he can continue to open the batting, which he has done before,” Conrad said.
South Africa squad for second Test: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne