Johannesburg, Sept. 28 -- South Africa has included Kagiso Rabada in their preliminary squad for the three-Test series against Australia, beginning October 9, with his availability for the opening match to be assessed during an intra-squad game next week.

Rabada is currently recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained during winter training.

Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka, who are also recovering from hamstring injuries, have been left out of the squad.

Anrich Nortje, who is no longer centrally contracted to Cricket South Africa, has been included in the extended squad and is in line to make his first Test appearance since March 2023. The squad features seven fast bowlers.

Gerald Coetzee, who returned to internati...