West Indies tour of South Africa: Proteas batter Temba Bavuma has been named as the team's Test captain ahead of South Africa's tour of West Indies. Bavuma, who led the Proteas in two T20 World Cups has also relinquished the captaincy of the shortest format. Bavuma has replaced Dean Elgar as captain of the Proteas side in the longest format. He remains the ODI and Test captain now.
South Africa Cricket has also announced its squad for the Test tour to West Indies. Tony de Zorzi receives his maiden call-up, while Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and Senuran Muthusamy have made a return to the South African side. "Introducing the new #Proteas Test captain - Temba Bavuma. He remains captain of the ODI side while he has opted to relinquish the captaincy of the T20I side," Cricket South Africa wrote on Twitter.
South African cricket is undergoing changes. Director of Cricket (DoC) Enoch Nkwe has also released the convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang and gave more powers to new test coach Shukri Conard. The team also features some changes to what South Africa fielded their team in their Test series against Australia. Confirming the appointment of Bavuma as Test skipper, CSA wrote in a statement, "The 32-year-old (Bavuma) will replace Dean Elgar at the helm of the red-ball format and will continue to lead the One-Day International (ODI) side. He has, however, relinquished the T20 International (T20I) captaincy with the new leader of that team to be named as part of the white-ball squad to face the West Indies next month."
Also, Nkwe welcomed Bavuma to the new role. “Cricket South Africa would like to welcome Temba as the new captain of the Proteas Men’s national team,” commented Director of Cricket (DoC) Enoch Nkwe. “He is a player that has vast captaincy experience both at the domestic level and on the international stage having led both the ODI and T20I teams since March 2021 when he was appointed," he added. The DoC also thanked Elgar for his guiding South Africa in several series wins.
