NEWS
Follow UsSouth African opener Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out of the second and final Test against Pakistan in Cape Town, starting on January 3 (Friday), due to a left thigh strain.
The opening batter “sustained the injury while fielding on day three of the first Test at SuperSport Park, and subsequent scans have revealed the extent of the injury. As a precautionary measure, he will miss the final match of the series,” said Cricket South Africa.
The Proteas won the first Test by two wickets and confirmed their place in the World Test Championship final (WTC). De Zorzi, however, could only score four runs across two innings.
Meanwhile, young left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka is set to make his Test debut, replacing Dane Paterson. Maphaka (18 years and 270 days) will become South Africa’s youngest Test player.
"You want to allow him to be as free as he can. You want to allow him to continue being the Kwena he is, to allow the exuberance of youth to come out. It's a case of, 'Kwena, run in and bowl as quick as you can.' It's about making sure he stays who he is, and allowing him to spread his wings,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.
"The rest of us played a lot of first-class cricket before making our debuts. We were able to fail, come back and find a way. He's going to have to learn quickly. But I think he has the talent, and that will make it easier for him.
"Considering we've got a series on the line, you don't want to give an opportunity to a young guy when there is no consequence."
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is also back and will replace Corbin Bosch, who made his debut in the first Test and scored 81 runs in the first innings and claimed five wickets in the game.
Ryan Rickelton will open the innings alongside Aiden Markram, with fit-again Wiaan Mulder batting at No.3.
