David Bedingham dropped as Proteas reveal Test squad for Bangladesh series

Bedingham scored 156 runs in the recent series against Australia at an average of just more than 31 but seemed vulnerable to the short ball, especially in the deciding Test at Newlands.

De Zorzi missed the Australia Tests due to a hamstring injury sustained in the preceding ODIs, but had been training with the Proteas squad all week in Cape Town.

The 31-year-old Hamza last made a Test appearance in New Zealand in February 2024, but was in the squad for the tours to Pakistan and India late year without adding to his eight caps.

Hamza enjoyed a prolific season in first-class cricket last home summer, scoring 343 runs in just four matches at an average of 57.16, while he also struck three half-centuries for the South Africa A side during the winter.

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad said: "In terms of our batting options, it's good to welcome Tony back following his recovery from injury, while Zubayr's inclusion gives us further depth to our top order.

"The build-up to the first Test will give us the opportunity to assess our options and settle on the best combination for the conditions."

Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy and Gerald Coetzee have also not been retained from the squad that did duty against Australia, while seamer Lungi Ngidi was not considered for selection as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring strain.

Anrich Nortje has sufficiently recovered from a groin injury to be included, and joins Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch as the other pacemen in the 15-man group with the two Test matches against Bangladesh set to be played at the Wanderers and the Centurion, that traditionally has pitches with good pace and bounce.

Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj will offer spin options with Harmer likely to hold onto his place if the hosts select one specialist after career-best bowling figures in the final Test victory against Australia at Newlands.

Conrad added: "Coming off a hard fought series against Australia, our focus will be on carrying that momentum into the Bangladesh series, which is our next big assignment of the summer.

"Traditionally, surfaces on the Highveld favours pace and bounce, although we have seen the Wanderers offer some assistance to spin in recent times. So with that in mind, there will be greater focus on our seam-bowling options.

"We know the threat Bangladesh pose and we expect their quicks to be very effective in Highveld conditions."

The first Test against Bangladesh starts at the Wanderers on 15 November, with the second and final game of the series set to begin on 23 November at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Proteas Test squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton

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