Hamza back in national set-up

Cape Cobras batsman, Zubayr Hamza, is back in the national team set-up following his doping suspension. The 27-year-old has been named in the 15-man South Africa ‘A’ squad that will travel to Sri Lanka for three one-day and two four-day matches in June.

Hamza is returning from a nine-month suspension after admitting to violating a rule in the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code. He provided an out-of-competition sample in January 2022 in Paarl, in which the prohibited substance in Section S5 of the 2022 WADA Prohibited List, Furosemide, was found.

He admitted that the violation was a result of negligence on his part, as he had taken one of his father’s heart medication instead of his own anti-allergy medication. The ban was lifted in December.

The SA ‘A’ side will be captained by Tony de Zorzi under the guidance of Test head coach, Shukri Conrad. The squad, which includes the likes of Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke, will depart for Sri Lanka on 31 May. Article by Ntsako Mkhari