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Anrich Nortje named in South Africa's preliminary squad for Australia Test series

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje is poised for a potential red-ball return after being selected in South Africa's eighteen-man preliminary roster for the upcoming Test series opener against Australia. The speedster has been absent from the long format since early 2023, having concentrated solely on twenty-over cricket in the interim.

The selection panel, led by coach Shukri Conrad, assembled an expanded group to evaluate various combinations and monitor fitness levels during an upcoming two-day intra-squad practice match in Durban. Alongside Nortje, the squad features uncapped thirty-year-old Marques Ackerman following a prolific run in first-class fixtures, while selectors are also giving talismanic quick Kagiso Rabada every opportunity to prove his match readiness.

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