Rassie van der Dussen to lead SA in T20I tri-series

Rassie van der Dussen will lead a new-look depleted South African squad in the upcoming T20I tri-series in Harare featuring New Zealand and Zimbabwe. Van der Dussen has been appointed captain in the absence of skipper Aiden Markram and a few more regulars who have been rested as part of their workload management.

Exciting young opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who topped the run charts in SA20 this year, has been handed a maiden call-up. Corbin Bosch, who has featured in ODIs and Tests already, will get an opportunity to make his T20I bow. Rubin Hermann, another player who impressed in the SA20 and Senuran Muthusamy, who has played the other two formats for the national side, complete the list of uncapped players picked for this series.

South Africa have also been bolstered by the return of pacers Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee. Both fast bowlers have been recovering from long-term injuries but are currently plying their trade in MLC. Another player who is set to make his return is Dewald Brevis, who hasn't played for South Africa in almost two years.

This series will be Shukri Conrad's first T20I assignment since he was named the all-format coach. The tri-series will kickstart on July 14 with South Africa taking on the hosts Zimbabwe. The final is scheduled to be played on July 26.

"This T20I tri-series marks the start of our preparation for next year's T20 World Cup," Conrad said. "With several senior players rested as part of their workload management, it creates space for these players to step in and show what they can offer, and bring them into contention for World Cup selection.

"Lhuan-dre and Rubin have been rewarded for their outstanding domestic form in the SA20 and we're excited to see how they adapt to the demands of international cricket. We know what Corbin has to offer at this level and we are keen to see how his Test and ODI skills will translate to the T20I arena."

Squad: Rassie van der Dussen (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane