Johannesburg, Aug 24 (IANS) South Africa all-rounder Jason Smith has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe due to an adductor strain, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday.
Smith, 31, has sustained a right adductor strain, which is a big blow to the Proteas' plans for the short format leg of the tour. The team management has decided against naming an immediate replacement in the squad for the tri-series, which will be played in Windhoek.
"Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Jason Smith has been ruled out of the T20 International (T20I) Tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe in Windhoek due to a right adductor muscle strain.
“He will undergo further assessments to determine his availability for the One-Day International (ODI) series against Namibia, scheduled to start on 09 September. No replacement has been named. The squad will depart for Windhoek from OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 25 August," added the CSA.
Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin will captain the newly assembled squad for the T20I tri-series, which ill run from August 28 to September 6. It is followed by the ODIs against Namibia from September 9 to 13. The tri-series will mark South Africa’s first T20I outing since the Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, where they reached the semi-finals under Aiden Markram’s leadership.
The side features a refreshed look with several key regulars rested, giving uncapped players like Eathan Bosch, brother of Corbin Bosch, and Duan Jansen, the brother of Marco Jansen, a chance to play international cricket. Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi and Kwena Maphaka are the major capped players who will tour Namibia with the Proteas.
Updated South Africa squad for Namibia tour: Bjorn Fortuin, Eathan Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Duan Jansen, Kwena Maphaka, Mokoena, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, and Prenelan Subrayen.
--IANS
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