Knights paceman Migael Pretorius has been called up to the Proteas Test squad ahead of the Series against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day.
Migael Pretorius earns maiden Proteas call-up
The Proteas call-up is the first for the seamer who did not earn national colours at age-group level.
Pretorius has, however, enjoyed an exceptional season in the 4-Day Domestic Series to date, thriving under the coaching of Proteas pace legend, Allan Donald.
The 25-year-old seamer is currently third on the tournament’s Leading Wicket Takers table with 19 scalps from five matches and best bowling figures of 7/102 against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in their season opener last month. He has also proven himself a handy lower-order batsman with two first-class 50s in six innings this season.
It has been a breakthrough term for Pretorius who has struggled for regular game-time in his career until making a move to Bloemfontein for the 2020/21 term.
“We’re pleased to include Migael in the Proteas Test squad for the Sri Lanka series. We’re big on rewarding consistently good work and the player has done a lot to make a case for himself,” CSA Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang said.
“We hope that this experience will be a great learning one for him and that this can serve as encouragement for players across the country, showing them that their chances may not be as far off as they think.”
The Proteas will gather in Pretoria on Saturday, 19 December for the Test series.
Kagiso Rabada and Dwain Pretorius have not yet been medically cleared to participate in the tour, leaving Mark Boucher in need of reinforcement in the pace department.
Proteas Test squad against Sri Lanka
Quinton de Kock (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (Imperial Lions), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Migael Pretorius (VKB Knights).
Test Series vs Sri Lanka
Saturday, 26-30 December 2020 at 10:00 SAST:
1st Betway Test match (WTC) South Africa v Sri Lanka, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 03-07 January 2021 at 10:00 SAST:
2nd Betway Test match (WTC) South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
