Magala injury could blunt SA attack
THE Proteas have suffered a setback ahead of their maiden limited-overs tour of Ireland after fast bowler Sisanda Magala was ruled out through injury.
Magala hurt his left ankle during the team’s preparations in Grenada ahead of the departure to Ireland.
His withdrawal opens the way for West Province left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks to be retained in the squad for the Ireland tour.
Magala, 30, will spend at least three to four weeks on the sidelines.
Magala’s loss is a severe blow to the Proteas as he would most likely have come into the reckoning for either the three one-day internationals or three T20s against the Irish to played in Dublin and Belfast respectively.
First-choice fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi are in need of a rest after playing both Test matches against the West Indies and also the majority of the five-match T20I series in the Caribbean.
Rabada and Ngidi played in all five T20Is, while Nortje only missed the series decider after being hit on the inner knee by a powerful Kieron Pollard straight drive in the fourth match.
Equally, Ngidi’s form left a lot to be desired prior to his matchwinning haul of 3/32 in the final T20I. He picked up five wickets at an average of 39.40 in the series, but more concerning was his economy rate of 10.94.
The lanky Titans seamer was particularly poor at the death where he consistently missed his line and length by large margins, often offering up full tosses that were despatched to the boundary by the Windies batsmen.
To a large extent he was fortunate to hold on to his place for the final T20I, and possibly owed it to Nortje’s injury in the penultimate match.
With Magala ruled out, Proteas coach Mark Boucher could potentially now have another look at Titans seamer Lizaad Williams for the Ireland series.
Williams, 27, has yet to be capped at ODI level, but played four T20Is against Pakistan and picked up seven wickets at average of 21.
The ODI series should also see the return of all-rounders Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius.
The latter missed the T20I series against the Windies after testing positive for Covid-19 prior to his departure for the Caribbean, while Phehlukwayo’s services were not required. He last played for the Proteas in the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka back in April.
Highveld Lions player Wiaan Mulder seems to be leading the race as the premier all-rounder in the country now across formats after playing both Tests against the Windies and excelling with the ball, in particular, in the final T20I against the Windies.
The 23-year-old would undoubtedly like to continue his progress in the upcoming series.
PROTEAS SQUAD TO IRELAND:
Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams
SCHEDULE
July 11: First ODI, Dublin
July 13: Second ODI, Dublin
July 16: Third ODI, Dublin
July 20: First T20I, Dublin
July 22: Second T20I, Belfast
July 24: Third T20I, Belfast