Gerald Coetzee. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
South Africa’s cricket team has suffered a major setback as their rising fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies scheduled for next month.
The 23-year-old speedster sustained a left side strain while participating in the Major League Cricket for Texas Super Kings earlier this month, forcing him to withdraw from the crucial tour.
The Proteas, looking to maintain their form in Test cricket, have acted swiftly to fill the void left by Coetzee’s absence. North-West Dragons fast bowler Migael Pretorius has been called up as his replacement, marking the 29-year-old’s return to the Test setup after nearly four years.
Coetzee’s injury comes as a disappointment for both the player and the team. The young quick has been making rounds in international cricket, and this series was seen as another opportunity for him to hold his place in the Proteas’ bowling attack.
Upon returning home from the MLC, Coetzee underwent thorough assessments by the Proteas medical team, who ultimately decided against clearing him for the Caribbean tour.
South Africa to play in two-match Test series
Pretorius who is yet to make his Test debut, brings a wealth of first-class experience to the squad. With 188 wickets in his overall first-class career, he has shown his ability to perform consistently in the longer format. In his recent stint in England’s County Championship, he claimed 23 wickets in eight matches for Somerset.
This call-up represents a second chance for Pretorius to break into the Test setup. His first inclusion in the Test squad came in December 2020 for the series against Sri Lanka, though he didn’t make his debut then. Now, with Coetzee sidelined, Pretorius has a golden opportunity to step out on the field as Test cricketer.
The two-match Test series against the West Indies is scheduled to begin on August 7th at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, followed by the second Test at Guyana National Stadium, starting on August 15th. Before the series, South Africa will play a warm-up match against a West Indies Invitational XI from July 31st to August 3rd at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
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South Africa Test squad against West Indies
Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Migael Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.