South Africa fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada will be skipping the domestic first-class fixtures as preparation for their upcoming Test series against India after picking up a heel niggle. India will face South Africa in a two-match Test series, set to begin on December 26.
India’s tour of South Africa: Full coverage
Along with Rabada, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has also opted out from playing domestic matches to prepare for the Test series. Both Bavuma and Rabada were due to represent the Lions against the Dolphins in Durban but have become unavailable due to different circumstances.
According to a statement released by the Lions, Bavuma is dealing with a personal matter while Rabada has picked up a heel niggle, ruling them out of the domestic competition.
“Bavuma has a personal matter to attend to and Rabada has a heel niggle,” the statement read.
If Rabada’s injury turns out to be serious, it could greatly hamper South Africa’s chances against India. With pacer Anrich Nortje already out with injury and Lungi Ngidi missing the T20I series due to an ankle sprain, South Africa’s pace attack is starting to look a little thin.
Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee have also been withdrawn from the T20I series and are set to miss the ODI leg as well. India will face South Africa in the third and final T20I of the series after the first one got washed out due to rain and the hosts came out on top in the second one by a margin of five wickets.
They will then take the Proteas on in a three-match ODI series before locking horns in the Test series, to kick-start their respective campaigns in the third cycle of the World Test Championship.
South Africa Test squad:
Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.