South African cricketer Ed Moore has been included in the Proteas squad for the upcoming tour to New Zealand, making him the eighth uncapped player added to the group for the two-match Test series.
At 30 years old, Moore brings a wealth of experience as a seasoned first-class campaigner, having participated in over 100 matches throughout his professional career spanning more than a decade. Boasting an average just over 40, he has consistently contributed to both WP, where he joined ahead of the 2022/23 season, and his former team, the Warriors in the Eastern Cape.
Moore showcased remarkable form on the domestic circuit from 2017 to 2020, amassing over 2,000 runs and recording seven of his 17 first-class centuries during that period. However, breaking into the South African team proved challenging at that time, coinciding with the emergence of Aiden Markram’s Test career alongside Dean Elgar at the top of the order.
In the current season, Moore stands out as one of nine batters to score over 400 runs in Division 1 of the four-day competition, with 414 runs at an impressive average of 51.75, including two centuries.
The decision to include Moore comes after the initial choice not to provide cover in the top order, following the contracting of Tony de Zorzi to the SA20 on the day the squad was announced, leaving the Proteas without some of their established players due to the ongoing T20 League.
Neil Brand, who is yet to make his international debut, will captain the Proteas team in the absence of household names, as the tour to New Zealand coincides with the SA20 commitments. Cricket SA has prioritized the T20 League for the financially critical future of the organization, leading to the participation of all nationally contracted players in the tournament.
The squad is set to depart on Friday, with the first Test against New Zealand scheduled to commence on February 4 in Mount Maunganui.
