AB and Dale headline a freakishly strong SA Invitation XI

If Zimbabwe thought their warm-up before the December 26’s day-night Test against the Proteas in Port Elizabeth would be a gentle exercise, they’d better think again.

The South African Invitation XI, usually a team with promising players in the provincial competition, will feature no less than four Proteas.

AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Temba Bavuma and Chris Morris have all been included for the simple reason that they need to need match fitness in the five-day format.

“Chris and Dale both missed the first five rounds of the Sunfoil Series through injury while AB was only available for one match,” said national selection convener Linda Zondi.

“This is an ideal opportunity for all three to get back into the multi-day arena.”

Last week, De Villiers admitted that he didn’t “feel that I need the warm-up to be ready for Tests again” but admitted that “it would still be good to spend a few days in the field and get a long innings in”.

Steyn has made an encouraging return for the Titans in the Ram Slam T20 challenge but his workload has been managed.

The 34-year-old quick spent a week back in Cape Town on further rehab bowling because T20 bowling wasn’t going to be strenuous enough for Test cricket.

Morris has also just recently returned from a back injury.

The plan with Bavuma is a bit different.

The diminutive middle-order batsman is short of runs after he didn’t bat all that much in the series against Bangladesh.

“Temba only got limited batting time during the Test Series against the Tigers because of the dominance of our top order and we feel he will benefit from spending more time in the middle,” said Zondi.

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