Keshav Maharaj and Mulder named in SA squad vs Pakistan despite injuries suffered in the previously finished series.
Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder have been named in South Africa’s side vs Pakistan as CSA take a gamble on their fitness.
Maharaj had to be taken off the team sheet shortly before the toss on Tuesday due to an 11th-hour groin strain that he sustained during the warm-ups for the first ODI in Paarl. Later on Wednesday, a scan will be performed to assess the extent of the injury. Since Senuran Muthusamy, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, is the only other spinner in the team. South Africa might have to go elsewhere for reinforcements if Maharaj is unable to play.
A decision about potential squad additions won’t be made until the scan’s results are known, according to test coach Shukri Conrad.
“Based on the outcome of that, we’ll do the necessary,” he said. “We’ll see how severe it is, whether it’s only potentially the first Test (he misses) or both Test matches. Once I get the results of the scan. I’ll be in a better position to either replace. Chat to the other coaches and make up my mind on the back of that.”
If Maharaj is unable to play in the first Test. It might not have a significant impact for South Africa because it is played at the seamer-friendly SuperSport Park in Centurion. When they played there last, against India, South Africa dominated and prevailed.
The brain trust is where they will miss him, indicating that he will continue to be a member of the team.
“Kesh is obviously one of the senior players in the side. He is a great sounding board. He’s got a huge amount of experience. He’s such a calming influence in the change room as well,” Conrad said. “And he’s an excellent spinner. Him, KG [Kagiso Rabada] and thankfully we’ve got Marco [Jansen] back. They’re the triumvirate that’ll ensure that we get the bulk of the 20 wickets we need to win a Test.”