Test without frontline men
THE third Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Seddon Park tomorrow could become the Match of the Men Who Weren’t There.
Fast bowler Tim Southee is the latest withdrawal‚ having reported pain after the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and being ruled out with a torn hamstring yesterday.
Southee joins batsman Ross Taylor‚ who tore a calf in the first Test at University Oval in Dunedin.
The Kiwi invalids could be joined by left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult‚ who missed the second Test with a vaguely described “upper leg injury” and has yet to be passed fit for tomorrow.
Not that the South Africans don’t have their problems. Quinton de Kock injured a finger in Wellington and will need to play with specially moulded padding or not at all. Should he be ruled out Heinrich Klaassen will make his debut.
“We had an X-ray done to exclude a fracture‚ and thankfully that was clear‚” South Africa’s team manager‚ Mohammed Moosajee said. “He still complained of pain so we had a scan done in Hamilton on Wednesday which revealed tendon damage.
“We will make a late call on his availability on Friday after he undergoes a fitness test with protective strapping to see if he will be able to bat or keep wicket. Either way‚ he is going to need a recovery period of four to six weeks.”
That will hit the headlines in India‚ where De Kock is expected to report for duty with the Delhi Daredevils early next month. “There is every likelihood of him missing out on the IPL‚” said Moosajee.
Minutes before Moosajee spoke‚ Vernon Philander held his own press conference with his left ankle strapped. Ominously?
What with Morne Morkel freshly returned from a bulging disc‚ Dale Steyn still recovering from a broken shoulder and Kagiso Rabada looking in need of a rest‚ Philander’s continued presence is vital.
South Africa are favourites going into tomorrow’s game, regardless of who does or doesn’t play.
But rain‚ ranging from a 30% to a 90% chance‚ has been forecast for all five days of the match.