Follow UsAfter an amazing victory in the second Test of the two-match series against Pakistan to end the series on level terms 1-1, South Africa were dealt a blow as their white-ball team was rendered short of a key all-rounder heading to six matches comprising three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs.
David Miller, the stand-in skipper of the T20I side, in the absence of Aiden Markram, has been ruled out of the white-ball tour, beginning October 28 in Rawalpindi. Along with Miller, pacer Gerald Coetzee has also been ruled out.
“[Miller] has been sidelined after scans conducted on Wednesday confirmed he had sustained a grade 1 right hamstring strain during training in the build-up to the tour. He will now begin a phased rehabilitation program,” Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a press release on October 23 (Thursday).
In Miller’s absence, young Donovan Ferreira, who was part of the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, will lead the side.
Coetzee, who was part of South Africa’s playing 11 for their one-off match against Namibia, which they lost, has also been ruled out due to an injury sustained in that very game.
“Coetzee has been ruled out due to a pectoral muscle injury. Scans revealed the extent of the injury and, following specialist consultation, he has commenced a structured rehabilitation program under the supervision of the Cricket South Africa High Performance and Momentum Multiply Titans medical teams,” the release added.
As replacements for the two experienced players, batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi and pacer Ottneil Baartman have been added to the T20I squad respectively.
As for the ODIs, Breetzke, who has played only six ODIs, will lead a young side that will have the experience of Quinton de Kock, who had earlier reversed his ODI retirement.
Proteas T20I squad against Pakistan
Donovan Ferreira (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane and Lizaad Williams.
Proteas ODI squad against Pakistan
Matthew Breetzke (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile and Lizaad Williams