Cape Town, (UNI) Cricket South Africa (CSA) have issued an injury update for three players during their ongoing white-ball series against Australia.
Keshav Maharaj is on the brink of a comeback from injury, just in time for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in what would be a massive boost for South Africa. The left-arm spinner has been declared fit for the remainder of the T20I series against Australia and the ODI series that follows.
Maharaj ruptured his left Achilles during the second Test against West Indies in March and was out of international action since. He recently participated in the Dolphins’ pre-season 50-over game against Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday to test his fitness.
While the Proteas rejoice the return of Maharaj, two players have picked up new injuries, an ICC report on Friday said.
Sisanda Magala has been ruled out of the second T20I against Australia due to a knee injury. The South African medical team will monitor him going into the third T20I on Sunday after scans revealed an infrapatellar tendinopathy.
Fellow quick Wayne Parnell has developed a recurrence of a left shoulder injury. A further update is expected from CSA after scans are conducted.
South Africa’s white-ball series against Australia got off to a far-from-ideal start as they suffered a heavy 111-run defeat in the first T20I. The bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Aussie captain Mitchell Marsh (92 not out off 49) and explosive batter Tim David (64 off 28) launching a brutal assault during the middle overs.
Set a target of 227, South Africa were bundled over for just 115. Only three players managed to hit double-digit scores, with Reeza Hendricks top-scoring with 56.
Australia spinner Tanveer Sangha impressed on his T20I debut with figures of 4/31 breaking the back of the South Africa batting order.
South Africa and Australia will square off on Friday in the second T20I in Durban. Following the completion of the T20I series on Sunday, the two teams will play a five-match ODI series from Thursday, 7 September as they look to fine-tune their squad and combinations heading into the World Cup.
