'Aussie agitator' Breetzke gets South Africa call-up
South Africa respond to their heavy first-Test defeat by Australia by calling up “Aussie agitator” Matthew Breetzke.
Key points
- South Africa have called up batter Matthew Breetzke and dropped Tristan Stubbs for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.
- Kyle Verreynne remains in the squad but loses the wicketkeeping gloves to Ryan Rickelton.
- South Africa must avoid defeat in the second Test, starting Sunday, to keep the three-match series alive.
South Africa have added batter Matthew Breetzke to their squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, dropping Tristan Stubbs. Stubbs made scores of 32 and one in the first Test, which South Africa lost by 214 runs.
Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne stays in the squad but will not keep wicket, with Ryan Rickelton in line to take the gloves. Breetzke and the uncapped Marques Ackerman are expected to come into the top order in place of Stubbs and Verreynne.
Breetzke's temperament cited
Breetzke, 27, made a century in the first one-day international on the tour but angered the Australians by pinching a single after a throw rebounded off his body. Cricket Australia's website called him an "Aussie agitator" and said he "got under Australia's skin".
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said Breetzke's temperament played a part in his selection. "The attitude and character that Matt brings and has, I think that will go a long way," Conrad said. Breetzke has played two Tests, scoring 14 runs in three innings, and has not played a first-class match since February, but averages almost 59 in 17 ODIs.
The attitude and character that Matt brings and has, I think that will go a long way
— Shukri Conrad
Series and team news
South Africa must avoid defeat in the second Test, starting Sunday, to avoid losing the three-match series with a game to spare. The 214-run loss in the first Test was the world champions' first defeat in captain Temba Bavuma's 13 matches in charge.
The hosts look likely to include attack leader Kagiso Rabada, who missed the first Test as part of his recovery from a hamstring injury. Australia may also make changes: injuries to Cameron Green and Josh Inglis forced Nic Maddinson into the XI for his first Test in 10 years, while Matthew Renshaw moved to number five and made scores of 190 and 82, plus two wickets. Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said Green is "progressing well" from an abdominal injury, and Inglis has started batting after a broken finger.
