SA vs ZIM Warm-up Match Updates: Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma Shine; South Africa Drop Hints On No.3 For WTC 2025 Final

South Africa are playing a four-day warm-up match against Zimbabwe in Arundel, England, before taking on the defending champions Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Final at The Lord’s Cricket Ground, starting June 11.

South Africa vs Zimbabwe Warm-up Match Updates

Zimbabwe let the South African team bat first to help them prepare for the WTC Final. SA, whom they will host later this month, declared the innings on 313 runs after 79 overs as heavy rain is forecasted for the next two days.

While opening the innings, Ryan Rickelton was dropped early in the second slip, and Aiden Markram fell for a cheap 15-ball-13. However, Rickelton made the most of that dropped chance and went on to notch up a 62-run knock off 93 balls, which included 11 boundaries. Coming in at No.5, youngster Tristan Stubbs also looked in great touch ahead of the mega clash. He spent a solid amount of time on the wicket and scored 58 runs off 120 deliveries.

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SA head coach Shukri Conrad might consider Stubbs at No.5 in place of Tony de Zorzi after the latter was seen to struggle against spin and eventually retired out on 28. Skipper Temba Bavuma made a comeback in international cricket after three months, following the Champions Trophy 2025. He also made a gritty 58 off 85 balls, which included some excellent pull and hook shots.

Who Will Play At No.3 in the WTC Final?

There were speculations regarding who would get the position of No.3 among Stubbs, de Zorzi, and Wiaan Mulder. However, Conrad opted for Mulder to play in that spot in Arundel. He was brilliant in defence and batted with a clear mindset. However, he was dismissed by the Zimbabwean pacer Tanaka Chivanga after scoring 26 runs off 49 balls.

In the second innings, Kagiso Rabada provided the breakthrough after opening the bowling with fellow pacer Marco Jansen. Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj also bowled a few overs, which indicated that Ngidi might get a chance ahead of Dane Paterson in the much-anticipated WTC Final.

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