South African pace sensation Gerald Coetzee picked up an injury while playing in the US-based T20 league named Major League Cricket. He has still not recovered from the injury and will miss the tour to West Indies. He picked a side strain while playing for the Chennai Super Kings-based franchise, the Texas Super Kings, and immediately went back home so that Proteas medical staff could examine his injured left side. According to Cricket South Africa’s confirmation on Thursday, Coetzee is unavailable for the Test Series against West Indies.
Uncapped pacer Migael Pretorius has been announced as Coetzee’s replacement. Pretorius has an experience of 64 first-class games behind him. He was last selected in the team in March 2021 for a T20 series against Pakistan, however, he did not play any games. He was also called for the Test Side against Sri Lanka but was unfortunate to miss out on his debut due to a shoulder injury. Gerald Coetzee impressed everyone with his performance in the 2023 edition of the ODI World Cup, where he picked up 20 wickets. He was the highest wicket-taker for his country and the joint fourth-highest overall. This later also got him a spot in the five-time IPL-winning franchise Mumbai Indians. He grabbed 13 wickets in 10 matches and was the joint second-highest wicket-taker for the MI side.
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South Africa will play a two-match Test series against West Indies beginning the series at Port-of-Spain, the second Test will be played at Providence. After the two Tests, Three T20s are to be played.
South Africa’s Test Squad for West Indies Tour
Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Mathhew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony De Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram , Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius.
WI vs SA schedule
1st Test: 7-11 August
2nd Test: 15-19 August
1st T20I: 23rd August
2nd T2OI: 25th August
3rd T20I: 27th August
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