Matthew Breetkze of Nelson Nandela Giants batting against Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League Giants played at the Newlands Stadium Matthew Breetzke could be close to making his Test debut for South Africa later this month. Picture: Phando/Jikelo/Independent Media
If Tony de Zorzi does not recover in time to take his place in the Proteas team to play hosts Bangladesh in a two-match Test series later this month, Matthew Breetzke might just earn his debut in the format.
De Zorzi picked up what appeared to be a painful knee injury in the first One-Day International against Ireland last week. Following an MRI scan, CSA said he had sustained a soft tissue injury of his right knee but he did not feature again in the series.
The problem is that De Zorzi would have partnered Aiden Markram to open the innings for South Africa against Bangladesh, and there is not another opener in the squad. Temba Bavuma could cover in the opening role, but it is not something he would be accustomed to at Test level.
Bavuma, however, has one Test match in the sub-continent to his name opening the innings. In December 2015 he partnered Dean Elgar at the top against India in Delhi, and made scores of 22 and 34 against a spin-led attack.
Matthew Breetzke has always had a swagger about him. He knows it, and everyone around him knows it too 💪
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) October 10, 2024
Read all about it 🔗 https://t.co/7bjvQU9R03#BetwaySA20 pic.twitter.com/xkTpCoRh4Y
Breetzke, though, could well be in the running to fill that opening slot.
Admittedly in vastly different conditions to what South Africa should encounter in Mirpur and Chattogram, Breetzke starred for SA A batting at number three against Sri Lanka in Kimberley last month. The 25-year-old struck 129 in the first innings as South Africa made 372, in what would ultimately be a losing cause.
Proteas Test coach has also previously stated that Breetzke would be next in line, and even if he doesn’t open - it seems a debut in the longest form of the game could be a good bet when the first Test starts on October 21.
Breetzke has already played eight T20 Internationals for the Proteas, having scored his first international half century in the second clash against Ireland last month.
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