MSL 2019: JP Duminy ruled out of the tournament with hamstring injury

South Africa batting all-rounder JP Duminy will not play the Mzansi Super League (MSL) because of a hamstring injury which he picked up ahead of his team Paarl Rocks’ opening game against Capetown Blitz on Sunday. The 35-year-old, who bid adieu to ODI cricket this July after SA ended their World Cup campaign, was found to have sustained a high-grade partial tear to his right hamstring. Duminy had missed the inaugural edition of the MSL because of a hand injury.

The Rocks now have been rocked by two big injuries. Recently, batsman Aiden Markram was ruled out of the tournament as he sustained a wrist injury during the recent Test series in India. Markram, who was in a poor form, lashed out at a solid object out of frustration over his dismissal in the second Test in Pune and that saw his wrist getting fractured. Markram could not play the third Test match in Ranchi.

While the Rocks found a replacement for Markram in wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne, they were yet to name a replacement for Duminy. “We will assess our options on Monday,” Rocks coach Adrial Birrell said in a statement. “[We will] then decide how to best replace JP.”

Rocks captain Du Plessis feels it’s an opening for other players

Rocks captain Faf du Plessis felt the twin setbacks gave an opportunity to the other members of the squad. He though conceded that the absence of Duminy will mean the young players missing on his experience and values that he brings with himself.

“JP brings a lot of value in a lot of different areas. His experience will be missed, especially by the younger guys. I have full confidence in our team to bounce back from this. We have strengthened our batting this year and we’ll use this setback as motivation,” he said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

The Rocks finished third in last year’s edition but failed to make it to the final after their eliminator tie with Jozi Stars was washed out by rain and they crashed out because of finishing lower in the points table. The Blitz, led by Quinton de Kock, are last year’s runners-up.

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