An unexpected development for the South African cricketer and fast bowler cricket-players/gerald-coetzee/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Gerald Coetzee was deemed unfit to play in the three Tests for South Africa – one against Sri Lanka, two against Pakistan – due to a groin injury.
Coetzee, who sustained the right groin injury on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka, is expected to be out for at least six weeks. The right arm is quickly replaced by cricket-players/kwena-maphaka/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Kwena Maphakawho made his international debut against the West Indies in the 20-over format earlier this year.
Coetzee ended his spell in the morning session after just three overs. The speedster threw the post sparingly into the basket and sent Dinesh Chandimal back with a caught and bowled post lunch.
South Africa Head coach Shukri Conrad admitted that Coetzee “felt a groin discomfort” and returned after the break “strapped in,” according to a report from ESPNcricinfo. The injury only adds to the Proteas' setbacks, with Wiaan Mulder ruled out with a broken middle finger.
As far as the second test is concerned, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen are considered fit. The other quick in the squad is Dane Peterson, as Lungi Ngidi is unavailable until January, while Nandre Burger is out all summer with a stress fracture in his lower back.
Pakistan will tour South Africa for an all-format series that includes three T20Is, as many ODIs and a few red-ball games. The second Test against the Lankans is scheduled at St George's Park from December 5.
Despite Coetzee's injury, the Proteas retain the upper hand heading into the final Test. The visitors were no match for the hosts in the first game as they reached their lowest Test score (42) and eventually lost by 233 runs.
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