England have named their playing XI for the opening Test against South Africa to be played from August 17 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Ben Foakes is set to return to the team as he will replace Sam Billings.
England Test playing XI comprises Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Matthew Potts, and James Anderson. Players on the bench are Harry Brook, Craig Overton, and Ollie Robinson.
Now talking about the South African team, their fast bowler Duanne Olivier is set to miss the three-match Test series after suffering a grade 2 right hip flexor muscle tear. Olivier suffered the injury during the tour match against England Lions in Canterbury. The Proteas hasn’t named a replacement for him as he has come back to South Africa to start rehabilitation.
"Duanne presented with significant discomfort involving his right hip flexor muscle at the close of play on day three of the four-day tour match. After clinical assessment, he was referred for an MRI scan which revealed a grade 2 tear involving the right pectineus muscle," South African team doctor, Dr Hashendra Ramjee explained.
"Due to the extent of the injury, he has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against England and will return home where he will commence his rehabilitation with the Gauteng Central Lions medical team."
South Africa Squad for Test Series:
Keshav Maharaj (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngid, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne.
So far in the tour, the three-game one-day international series ended in a 1-1 draw as the third game was abandoned due to rain. Whereas, the visitors registered a 2-1 win in the three T20Is.