South Africa face a huge setback as frontline pacer Kagiso Rabada has been sidelined from the three-match ODI series against Australia due to injury. The fast bowler has been diagnosed with swelling in his right ankle, with medical scans conducted on Monday confirming the issue, ruling him out just before the series opener on Tuesday.
“Proteas Men’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia due to inflammation of his right ankle,” South Africa said via a statement.
“The 30-year-old underwent a scan on Monday, which confirmed the extent of the injury. He will remain in Australia and undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the Proteas medical staff. The series gets underway with the first ODI on Tuesday, 19 August at Cazalys Stadium, starting at 14:30 local time.”
Rabada bags five wickets on T20I return, but South Africa lose series 1-2
Kagiso Rabada took part in all three games of the recently concluded T20I leg, where he claimed five wickets, though South Africa ended up losing the series 1-2. It marked the speedster’s first appearance since his standout display in the Proteas’ historic ICC World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord’s.
Delivering five and four wickets across the two innings, Rabada played a pivotal role in securing South Africa’s remarkable triumph against the Aussies. With him unavailable, the Proteas relied on left-arm quick Nandre Burger, seamer Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as their pace attack for the opening ODI at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday morning.
After winning the toss once more, Australia’s skipper chose to field against Temba Bavuma’s side. Rabada, however, might eye a return during South Africa’s six-match white-ball tour of England in September.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen
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