The South African team is battling with a host of injury issues. The latest jolt comes from the news of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s injury. The pacer was supposed to play a first-class match for the Lions against the Dolphins at Kingsmead on Thursday, but a heel injury forced him to sit out of the game, casting a doubt over his availability in the IND vs SA Test series.
In a statement ahead of the domestic match, Lions said Kagiso Rabada will miss the match against the Dolphins with ‘a heel niggle.’ The statement added that Lions coach Russell Domingo was ‘disappointed’ not to have him in the XI.
Also Read:
- Virat Kohli turns non-vegetarian again? No, it’s just mock meat
- ‘I kept dreaming’: Andre Russell manifests POTM award on international return
- All lives are equal: Usman Khawaja hits back at ICC after Pro-Palestine shoe row
Rabada’s injury, if severe, would leave South Africa’s entire top-order pace attack out of action for the series IND vs SA Test series. In addition to Rabada’s absence, Anrich Nortje has also been ruled out as he continues to recover from a lower back stress fracture.
Ngidi, who had to pull out of the T20Is with a sprained ankle, is also out of first-class action that started on Thursday. Rabada has had a heel problem since the recently concluded ODI World Cup, when he couldn’t bowl in the second half of the semi-final against Australia at the Eden Gardens.
The first Test of the IND vs SA series will be played at Centurion on December 26. In the absence of so many experienced bowlers, South Africa’s pace attack is likely to be fronted by Marco Jansen and Gerard Coetzee. Jansen and Coetzee will play for their provincial sides this week to prepare for the Tests. Wiaan Mulder and the uncapped Nandre Burger, who are also in the squad, could be the other options for the Proteas.
