Pieter Malan named captain of South Africa A squad to face India A

Opening batter Pieter Malan will lead an experienced South Africa A squad for their series of three four-day games against India A, from November 23 to December 9 in Bloemfontein.

Others with international experience in the 14-man squad are: Lutho Sipamla (two Tests, five ODIs, nine T20Is), George Linde (three Tests, two ODIs, 14 T20Is), Senuran Muthusamy (two Tests), Beuran Hendricks (one Tests, eight ODIs, 19 T20Is), Glenton Stuurman (one T20I) and Sinethemba Qeshile (two T20Is).

Malan has played three Tests for South Africa, all in January 2020 against England, making 156 runs with a highest of 84. While he wasn't part of the playing XI, he had been in the Test squad before losing his spot, and is looking to make a comeback.

The series' timing is crucial, with the Indian senior team set to travel to South Africa in December and January for a full tour, comprising three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is. A good show against India A, therefore, will put players in prime position for selection into the senior squad.

The squad also includes Marco Jansen, who had recently been part of the Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2021. Both Sipamla and Jansen are coming in on the back of good form in red-ball cricket, having taken six-fors when Lions beat Warriors in a Division 1 game last week.

Linde, who was part of South Africa's reserves for the T20 World Cup 2021, had been disappointed at missing out on selection for South Africa's ODI series against Netherlands, but gets an opportunity here.

CSA convenor of selectors, Victor Mpitsang, said South Africa's A team programme had been disrupted due to Covid-19, but it was getting back on track with the start of this series.

"Test cricket remains one of CSA's key focus areas, along with ensuring that the format continues to thrive and hold relevance in our country. It is therefore vital that a steady stream of talent continues to emerge from our High Performance programme," Mpitsang said. "The COVID-19 pandemic saw the disruption of the South Africa A team's fixtures and CSA is pleased to see the return of content for this programme. We are looking forward to more tours for this team in particular, as the A Team programme is a crucial one to CSA's overall pipeline strategy.

"The senior South Africa and India teams will be clashing this summer here at home, so this is an ideal opportunity for players with Proteas ambitions to put their hands up and make a case for themselves."

India had earlier named their A squad of 14, which will be led by Priyank Panchal.

South Africa A squad: Pieter Malan (captain), Sarel Erwee, Dominic Hendricks, Raynard van Tonder, Sinethemba Qeshile, Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Migael Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, George Linde, Jason Smith, Tony de Zorzi.