Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia with a hamstring injury.
The Proteas had given the quick every chance to play in Durban from Friday, and remain hopeful he will be able to feature in the final two Tests.
It means South Africa will play Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje as their two frontline quicks, while playing two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
Allrounder Wiaan Murder will act as a third seamer, on a Kingsmead wicket expected to turn as the game goes on.
“We did go the conservative route, give him a couple of extra days to give him 100 per cent fitness,” captain Temba Bavuma said of Rabada.
“We are confident in our medical team to get him to place we need him to be.
“As soon as he gets the green light we expect him to be within the starting line-up. We’re giving him a couple of days until the start of the second Test.”
Rabada had been one of Australia’s arch-nemeses on the ill-fated 2018 tour, taking 23 wickets at 19.26 in the last series between the two sides in South Africa.
He also had the infamous mid-pitch clash with Steve Smith after dismissing the then-captain, for which he was initially banned before having his charge downgraded.
South Africa are without fellow quick Lungi Ngidi for this series, who is battling his own hamstring injuries.
But Nortje’s inclusion is a boost for the hosts, given he has not played a Test since March 2023.
“It’s hard to ignore his X-factor. There aren’t many guys around who are bowling 150km/h-plus,” Bavuma said of Nortje.
“As a batter it’s not something I would look forward to.”
SOUTH AFRICA LINE-UP:
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verryenne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Andrich Nortje
