Lhuan-dre Pretorius has received a maiden call-up to the South Africa A squad for their tour of the West Indies from 21 May to 11 June.
The 19-year-old scored 436 runs in seven innings in the recent 4-Day Series for the Northerns Titans, at an average of 72.66, with three centuries, including a match-saving 114 against the Central Gauteng Lions in the final.
He was also among the top run-scorers in the One-Day Cup, with 316 at an average of 45.14 with two hundreds.
KZN Dolphins batsman Marques Ackerman will captain the 16-man squad in both the three-match 50-over series and two-match four-day series, with all five matches set to be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia.
Free State Knights batsman Lesego Senokwane has also earned his first call-up, along with Dolphins paceman Okuhle Cele and Titans off-spinner Schalk Engelbrecht, who is one of four frontline spinners in the squad.
The squad also features several players with Proteas experience, namely Ruan de Swardt, Bjorn Fortuin, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile and Jason Smith.
Proteas white-ball fielding coach Wandile Gwavu will oversee the tour.
“This group of players was selected based on a combination of their performances, potential and specific skills that we believe will be valuable to the senior men’s team in the near future,” he said
“With a busy international schedule ahead, the next World Test Championship cycle approaching, and the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, this tour forms an important part of our broader strategy to widen our national talent pool.
“Conditions were also a key factor in our planning. Playing all five matches at the same venue could see spin playing a major role, which is why we’ve opted to include four spinners in the squad. That said, we believe this group has the skill to adapt and compete, regardless of the conditions.
“Marques is no stranger to captaincy, having led the Dolphins and SA U19s previously, so appointing him as captain was an easy decision. Beyond his experience, he brings the right character to the role as he leads from the front and is deeply passionate about the game. I’m really looking forward to working with him on this upcoming tour.”
The squad will assemble for a camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 11-15 May ahead of their departure from OR Tambo International Airport on 16 May.
South Africa A squad: Marques Ackerman (c, Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Dolphins), Ruan de Swardt (Dragons), Schalk Engelbrecht (Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Jordan Hermann (Warriors), Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Titans), Tshepo Moreki (Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Knights), Jason Smith (Dolphins), Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins).
West Indies A vs South Africa A fixtures
Wednesday, 21 May: 1st one-day match
Saturday, 24 May: 2nd one-day match
Tuesday, 27 May: 3rd one-day match
Sunday, 1 June – Wednesday, 4 June: 1st four-day match
Sunday, 8 June – Wednesday, 11 June: 2nd four-day match
– All matches at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
