South Africa were left sweating over the fitness of Keshav Maharaj ahead of their last two Tests of the ongoing 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle. Maharaj was seen limping during the warm-up before the first ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday due to a groin strain.
It is understood Maharaj was in the XI before suffering the injury just before the toss and was replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo. He will undergo a scan on Wednesday.
After the three-match ODI series, South Africa will face Pakistan in two Tests, needing just one more win to be sure of a top two finish to qualify for the WTC final next year.
Maharaj is a key component of South Africa’s Test squad, often their only specialist spinner in the XI, with Aiden Markram providing support with his part-time offspin. Maharaj led them to victory against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha earlier this month, returning 5 for 76 on the final day to spark a collapse.
Although the severity of Maharaj’s injury is yet to be ascertained, this adds to the long list of injured South African bowlers. Anrich Nortje has been ruled out for a fractured big toe ahead of the T20Is against Pakistan; Gerald Coetzee and Lungi Ngidi are out until January with groin and hip problems respectively; Nandre Burger has been ruled out since the summer for a stress fracture of his lower back; Wiaan Mulder is competing to be fit for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan after breaking his finger against Sri Lanka.
Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy are the spinners in contention for the Boxing Day Test if Maharaj is ruled out. All-rounder Neil Brand, who throws left-arm spin, and legspinner Shaun von Berg have also made Test appearances this year for South Africa. Left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who last played first-class cricket in 2021, could have an outside chance.
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