De Zorzi misses the first Test against Australia as South Africa's hamstring list grows

South Africa will begin their home series against Australia without Tony de Zorzi after a hamstring strain ruled the opener out of the first Test in Durban

De Zorzi was hurt while fielding in the final one-day international against Australia at Potchefstroom on Wednesday, and scans two days later confirmed the extent of the strain. Cricket South Africa said no replacement has been named.

The 29-year-old, who has played 17 Tests, becomes the fourth member of the wider South African group to be withdrawn by a hamstring problem in the build-up to the series, after fast bowlers Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi.

The first of three Tests starts at Kingsmead in Durban on 9 October, with St George’s Park in Gqeberha hosting the second from 18 October and Newlands in Cape Town the third from 27 October.

Three quicks already in rehabilitation

Baartman, Maphaka and Ngidi were all left out when the 18-man preliminary squad was named on 28 September, each still working through a hamstring injury of his own.

That left the seam options in the group to Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder, alongside the three bowlers recalled to cover the shortfall.

De Zorzi’s withdrawal is the first to hit the batting order, and it comes six days before the series opener.

Rabada’s fitness rests on a two-day game

Kagiso Rabada was named in the preliminary squad while recovering from a right hamstring injury, and remains doubtful for Durban.

His availability is to be judged on an intra-squad two-day match on Monday and Tuesday, the last cricket the group plays before the Test.

Head coach Shukri Conrad said when the squad was announced that "the two-day game will give us a clearer picture of where he is".

The 18 was issued as a preliminary group rather than a final team for that reason, and will be cut before the first ball at Kingsmead.

Nortje, Coetzee and Paterson recalled

Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson were all brought back into the Test group as the injuries mounted.

"Having a larger bowling group gives us the flexibility to cover all bases," Conrad said, and of Nortje he added: "It’s a great opportunity to get Anrich involved as soon as possible, being able to assess exactly where he is."

Marques Ackerman is the only uncapped player in the 18, which is captained by Temba Bavuma.

No replacement named for the opener

Cricket South Africa has not called anyone up in de Zorzi’s place, leaving the selectors to fill the vacancy from the squad already assembled.

That group holds Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne among its batting options, with Ackerman the newcomer.

Ackerman was the single new face when the squad was confirmed on 28 September, and has yet to play a Test.

Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy give South Africa three specialist spinners to choose from in Durban.

Australia build up at Senwes Park

Australia are meanwhile playing a tour match against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI at Senwes Park, where they chose to bowl.

The Invitation XI declared on 318 for 7 from 90 overs, and Australia had reached 145 for 2 from 24 overs on the second day, trailing by 173.

The ground is in Potchefstroom, where de Zorzi was injured four days earlier, and it is the tourists’ only red-ball fixture before the series begins.

The first Test begins at Kingsmead on 9 October, with South Africa yet to name a replacement for de Zorzi in their squad.

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