A lumbar stress reaction has ruled South Africa pacer, Nandre Burger, out of the remaining two ODIs against Ireland as well as the forthcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh.
In an official statement released by Cricket South Africa on Friday which mentioned, “Burger experienced discomfort in his lower back, and subsequent scans revealed the injury,” not long before the commencement of the second ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.
While there was no notification on the player who will be replacing Burger for the third and final ODI of the series, CSA updated that a replacement for the Tests against Bangladesh in Dhaka and Chattogram would be “announced in due course”. The pace-bowling options at the Proteas’ disposal for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh are Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Wiaan Mulder.
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de Zorzi misses the second ODI against Ireland
Top-order batter, Tony de Zorzi, failed to make it into the XI during the ongoing ODI due to picking up “a soft tissue injury to his right knee”, as reported by CSA. Kyle Verreynne was shortlisted to replace de Zorzi.
De Zorzi hurt his knee while attempting to slide on the sandy outfield in the first ODI which led to him immediately leaving the field with no delay. MRI scans on Thursday revealed the nature of the injury he had injured, thus prompting the team management to rest him from the second ODI as a precautionary measure.
de Zorzi is likely to be the opening partner for Aiden Markram during the series against Bangladesh. The middle-order for the series will entail Tristan Stubbs, skipper Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, and one of Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne, the wicketkeeper-batters.
South Africa has six Tests to go in the current cycle of the World Test Championship. Based on mathematical calculations, the Proteas need to win a minimum of five out of the six to stand a chance to play in the final of the event at Lord’s, slated to commence on June 11 next year.