South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia because of inflammation in his ankle.
Rabada played all three T20I matches in the preceding series between the teams but underwent a scan on Monday after feeling discomfort.
South Africa announced Rabada’s withdrawal just one hour before the ongoing first ODI against Australia in Cairns.
Left-arm 19-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka, who claimed a leading nine wickets in the T20I series, has been added to the squad but was overlooked for the series-opener.
Veteran quick Lungi Ngidi leads the South African attack in the series opener, featuring off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who makes his ODI debut.
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It’s worth noting that Kagiso Rabada will remain on the Australia tour, where he will undergo rehabilitation.
With Rabada unavailable and Marco Jansen still recovering from thumb surgery, the fast bowling options in the squad include Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, and Maphaka.
Additionally, seam-bowling all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder are also part of the tour.
For spin options, the team has Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, and Prenelan Subrayen.
Following the first match, the teams will move to Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena for the next two matches. Meanwhile, Australia won the hard-fought T20I series 2-1.
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