Rabada makes South Africa side for Test final after serving ban

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

KAGISO RABADA was picked by South Africa for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia next month after serving a one-month suspension for using a recreational drug.

The fast bowler has already been cleared to return to play and is back in the Gujarat Titans squad ahead of the the Indian Premier League’s restart on Saturday.

Rabada was banned for testing positive for a recreational drug during a domestic Twenty20 competition in South Africa in January.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport said Rabada was eligible for a reduced one-month ban because he completed a substance-abuse treatment programme. Rabada has said in a statement that he is “deeply sorry” for his conduct.

When announcing the 15-man squad yesterday, South Africa said the group would assemble in England on May 31 and play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3-6 before heading to London ahead of the WTC final starting June 11.

The Proteas’ pace attack will also include Lungi Ngidi, who returns to the Test fold for the first time since October 2024 after injury problems.

South Africa WTC final squad

Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.