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South Africa batter Tony de Zorzi is set to miss out on the remaining two ODIs against England after sustaining a hamstring injury during the first match in Leeds. It all happened when the 28-year-old tried to stop a shot hit by Jos Buttler. Though de Zorzi was able to stop the ball from going for a boundary through a dive, he ended up hurting himself in the process.
Turns out that de Zorzi hurt his hamstring and thus, left the field in order to receive treatement. It was soon confirmed that he would not be coming out to bat unless required. The batter will now be returning home and will also be undergoing scans.
The Proteas haven't announced as a replacement as it is highly likely that Matthew Breetzke will be returning to the playing XI for the second ODI. The latter, who had hit two half-centuries in three matches against Australia in the recently-concluded one-day assignment, missed out on the first game against England due to a hamstring niggle. Breetzke had hurt his hamstring during the final match of the series against the Baggy Greens, but he has now recovered and is available for selection in the upcoming match. He is likely to bat at the No.4 spot in the order.
On the other hand, another concern for South Africa heading into the second match is Temba Bavuma. The South Africa captain had hurt his hamstring during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June and is still under a workload management protocol. That is why he had featured in two out of the three matches against Australia. There is a possibility that Bavuma will also be rested for one out of the remaining two games against England.
The completely one-sided 1st ODI
Meanwhile, South Africa defeated England in convincing fashion in the first ODI. It was a dominant display from the Proteas who outclassed the hosts in both the batting and bowling department. They first bundled out the Three Lions for just 131 runs thanks to a sensational bowling display. Keshav Maharaj (4/22) and Wiaan Mulder (3/33) were the star performers as the opposing batters failed to score runs and continued losing wickets on regular intervals.
The modest target of 132 didn't post any difficulties for the visitors as Aiden Markram's fantastic knock of 86 saw them convert the match into a one-sided affair. Ryan Rickelton also played an unbeaten cameo of 31 and guided the side to a comfortable 7-wicket win. They now have a chance to seal the series in the second match which is set to be played at Lord's on September 4.
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