Groin strain rules Kagiso Rabada out of Australia and India ODIs

South Africa’s ace pacer Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia and the subsequent India series which is scheduled to follow due to groin strain. This comes as a huge blow to the Proteas who were banking on him against Australia. The first ODI of the three-match rubber is set to be played on Saturday at the Boland Park in Paarl and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) hasn’t named any replacement yet.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury during the T20I series against Australia which South Africa lost by 2-1. Rabada, with his latest injury, will be out of action for four weeks now and will be hopeful of regaining his fitness just in time for the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is scheduled to kick off on March 29. The pacer features for the Delhi Capitals in the T20 competition who will play their opening game on March 30 against the KXIP.

“Kagiso (Rabada) sustained a groin muscle strain in the T20 series against Australia, he was assessed by the medical staff, assisted by an MRI scan. The significant injury means that he will take approximately four weeks to heal, which effectively rules him out of both the Australia and India ODI series. The CSA medical staff will ensure his effective and expeditious recovery,” CSA’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Shuaib Manjra was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Bavuma fit and available to play in the first ODI

Meanwhile, South Africa will no more miss Temba Bavuma who didn’t feature in the T20I series against Australia due to the hamstring injury. He has recovered completely now and is available to feature in the curtain-raiser in Paarl. It will be interesting to see now who will replace Kagiso Rabada in the line-up.

In his absence, Lungi Ngidi will have to lead the bowling attack which also comprises of Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje and Lutho Sipamla. Even Janneman Malan is likely to make his ODI debut with no Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks in the squad and South Africa will be hoping to start the series on a winning note.

South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w/c), Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma, JJ Smuts, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne