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South Africa could field 1st black African batsman in test against West Indies

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An electronic score board displays the results on the fourth day of the 1st cricket test match at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. South Africa beat West Indies by an innings and 220 runs. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa – South Africa could field its first black African batsman when it plays its second cricket test against the West Indies on Friday.

With a teammate injured and out for the rest of the three-match series, Temba Bavuma will join the lineup if the team continues to use seven batsmen.

South Africa has fielded only five black African players since it was readmitted to international cricket in 1991. It has not had any since fast bowler Makhaya Ntini at the end of 2009.

In a country where almost 80 per cent of the population is black, Ntini is the only cricketer to have held down a regular place on the national team.

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