CENTURION: Right-arm pacer Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the second Test between hosts South Africa and India, due to pelvic inflammation.
In a statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA), the cricketing body shared that Coetzee developed Pelvic inflammation which got “progressively worse while bowling” in the final innings of the first Test.
Gerald Coetzee was consequently sent for scans on Friday, which revealed the extent of the injury, the CSA revealed further.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Test coach Conrad Shukri decided to release the pacer from the squad “as a precautionary measure,” but it remains uncertain whether he will be fit for the SA20, starting from January 10.
Notably, Coetzee could bowl only five overs in India’s second innings before leaving the field with the discomfort.
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His absence in the final innings, however, did not cost South Africa much as the hosts romped to a thumping victory by an innings and 32 runs.
He did not return to the field in India’s batting debacle and Tristan Stubbs took over fielding duties for the rest of the match.
Gerald Coetzee marked the second injury blow to South Africa in the ongoing series as their captain Temba Bavuma was earlier ruled out of the series remainder on Thursday.
As a result, Zubayr Hamza has been called up to South Africa’s squad as a batting replacement for Bavuma while Stubbs is also in the squad.
The CSA, thus far, have not named Gerald Coetzee’s replacement for the second Test since they have enough pacers in their arsenal in the form of Lungi Ngidi and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
However, it appears that South Africa may opt to go for Keshav Maharaj as the surface of Cape Town is presumably more spin-friendly.
READ: South Africa skittle India to claim innings win in first Test