South Africa fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the second Test against India that starts on January 3 in Cape Town because of a pelvic inflammation. South Africa have not named a replacement yet.
Coetzee developed the inflammation during the first Test in Centurion, and his discomfort got “progressively worse while bowling” in India’s second innings, a Cricket South Africa release said. His scans on Friday revealed the extend of the injury.
Coetzee could bowl just five overs in India’s second outing on day three in before eventually leaving the field as the hosts romped to a thumping win.
South Africa head coach Conrad Shukri opted to release Coetzee from the squad “as a precautionary measure”, the release said.
Coetzee becomes the second South Africa player to get injured in the first Test against India, with captain Temba Bavuma ruled out of the next game with a hamstring injury.
South Africa have Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder as fast-bowling options in the squad to replace Coetzee, although Ngidi wasn’t fit for the first Test, and can also turn to Keshav Maharaj should conditions dictate the need for a spinner.
At Centurion, Coetzee was South Africa’s most expensive bowler in both their innings with the ball, and picked up just one wicket. It was Coetzee’s third Test, having debuted against West Indies earlier this year.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo