South Africa have suffered a couple of injury blows ahead of the five-T20I series against India, with top-order batter Tony De Zorzi and young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka getting ruled out of the fixtures.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Saturday (December 6) confirmed the news of their absence. While the Proteas have not named any replacement for De Zorzi, Lutho Sipamla will replace Maphaka in the T20I squad.
De Zorzi will also not be participating in the third ODI against India on Saturday in Vizag, along with fast bowler Nandre Burger.
“Proteas Men’s fast bowler Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi have been ruled out of the third One-Day International (ODI) against India on Saturday due to injury," CSA said in a statement.
“Burger experienced right hamstring discomfort while bowling during the second ODI on Wednesday, and de Zorzi experienced right hamstring area pain while batting and was unable to continue batting during the run chase. Both players underwent scans on Friday which confirmed the extent of their respective injuries."
“De Zorzi has also been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) series against India, which gets underway on Tuesday, 09 December, and will return home. No replacement has been named. Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka did not progress as expected during the final phase of his rehabilitation from a left hamstring injury and will not be fit in time for the start of the T20I series. He has been withdrawn from the squad. DP World Lions fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has been added to the side."
The Proteas are already missing the services of Kagiso Rabada, and now the absence of Maphaka has added to their woes. The former U19 World Cup star has featured in the IPL for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals and is aware of the conditions in India.
South Africa’s T20I squad for India series: Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (WK), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs, Lutho Sipamla.
