South Africa face injury crisis
South Africa are facing an injury crisis ahead of the one-day tri-series against Sri Lanka and India on Monday, with three of their leading cricketers, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock and the captain, Mark Boucher, all nursing injuries
Cricinfo staff
10-Aug-2006
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Ntini has a left hamstring strain which prevented him from bowling more than 7.2 overs in the second innings of the second Test in Colombo, which South Africa went on to lose by one wicket.
"Makhaya is under treatment and his injury is being monitored closely by the physiotherapist," said South Africa's coach, Mickey Arthur. "But we are confident that he will pull through by Monday. He is due for a fitness test over the weekend and it is very unlikely that he will play any part in the team prior to that."
The fast bowler, Dale Steyn, who was to fly home at the end of the Test series, has stayed back as cover for Ntini. Meanwhile Pollock, 33, a veteran of 102 Tests and 259 one-day internationals, has a niggling injury in his lower back. He bowled just three overs with the second new-ball on that same final day.
Pollock suffered a similar injury in the home series against Australia and was forced to miss the first Test at Cape Town in March. "Probably age and the heavy workload on him over the years is taking its toll," said Arthur.
Boucher, 29, who will lead South Africa in the tri-series, is nursing an injured left elbow after being hit during the second innings of the second Test.
"As a precautionary measure Mark and Shaun will be rested from tomorrow's practice game," said South Africa's media liaison officer Gordon Templeton. "Both should be available for selection on Monday."
Templeton added that AB de Villiers would keep wicket for South Africa in their one-day practice match against a Sri Lanka Academy in Colombo on Friday.
Ashwell Prince who was replaced as captain by Boucher in the one-day squad will lead the team.
South Africa one-day squad
1 Mark Boucher (capt, wk), 2 Boeta Dippenaar, 3 Loots Bosman, 4 Herschelle Gibbs, 5 A.B. de Villiers, 6 Shaun Pollock, 7 Johan van der Wath, 8 Robin Petersen, 9 Andrew Hall, 10 Andre Nel, 11 Makhaya Ntini, 12 Ashwell Prince, 13 Roger Telemachus, 14 Thandi Tshabalala
1 Mark Boucher (capt, wk), 2 Boeta Dippenaar, 3 Loots Bosman, 4 Herschelle Gibbs, 5 A.B. de Villiers, 6 Shaun Pollock, 7 Johan van der Wath, 8 Robin Petersen, 9 Andrew Hall, 10 Andre Nel, 11 Makhaya Ntini, 12 Ashwell Prince, 13 Roger Telemachus, 14 Thandi Tshabalala