Proteas captain Aiden Markram has confirmed all-rounder Tristan Stubbs will play wicketkeeper in Wednesday’s first T20I against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban.
Stubbs has been capped 14 times in international cricket – and bowled off-spin in during July 2022’s T20I against England.
This will be the first time he has been named wicketkeeper in the Proteas XI in T20I or ODI cricket.
“Tristan has been working really hard over the last couple of weeks and those that know Stubbs well, know he is the kind of guy that will never really leave a stone unturned,” said Markram.
“He has spent hours and hours practising his keeping and it has been great to see.”
“From his personal game, it adds another element for him to take forward in his cricketing journey.
“We’ve seen him do well with the ball and we all know what he can do with the bat, now all of a sudden he has got the gloves.”
Experienced wicketkeepers Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen have been rested for the three-T20I series against Australia.
The uncapped Matthew Breetzke and Donovan Ferreira have been named in the squad. Breetzke kept wicket for Cape Town Samp Army in the Zim Afro T10 last month. Ferreira kept wicket for Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League earlier this month.
“We’re going to give guys opportunities and we might spread the load a little bit,” added Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter.
“Donovan was involved in a lot of league cricket. One of the areas in our batting we want to pay attention to is the ability to finish and clear the rope, so that’s why he is in. Matthew is top-order cover.”
