South Africa have lost another fast bowler, with Kwena Maphaka ruled out of the ODI series against Australia. He hurt his hamstring in training, and Cricket South Africa confirmed his withdrawal on September 23. Lizaad Williams has been called up in his place.
A growing injury list
Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi were already out with hamstring-related problems. Duan Jansen replaced Baartman, and Nqobani Mokoena came in after Ngidi withdrew. The three ODIs are in Durban on September 24, Johannesburg on September 27 and Potchefstroom on September 30.
Williams brings experience
Williams made his ODI debut in 2021 and has played eight matches. That counts for something given that Jansen and Mokoena have only four ODI appearances between them. Gerald Coetzee is also available, though he has not played an ODI since November 2023.
What comes next
A two-day practice match between a South Africa XI and Australia follows on October 3 and 4. The three-Test series begins in Durban on October 9, with the second Test in Gqeberha from October 18 and the third in Cape Town from October 27. South Africa are watching the fitness of Rabada and Ngidi, but no return dates have been confirmed.
ODI squad
Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Nqobani Mokoena, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams.
