South Africa’s Injury Woes Continue as Keshav Maharaj Joins the List of Absentees

South Africa’s tour of England faces further challenges with a third injury setback, as Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm spinner, was ruled out of the first T20I in Cardiff due to a groin strain sustained during warm-up. Captain Aiden Markram confirmed Maharaj’s initial inclusion, but the injury forced a late withdrawal, with Corbin Bosch taking his place. Maharaj’s recall to the T20I team followed his absence from the Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Lungi Ngidi is sidelined for the entire T20I series because of a right hamstring strain and will return home on Thursday. He is racing against the clock to be fit for the upcoming World Test Championship series in Pakistan on October 12. Nandre Burger, a left-arm seamer, has been called up to strengthen the team and will be available from the second T20I at Old Trafford. This follows the earlier news that veteran batter David Miller was withdrawn from the squad due to a hamstring strain picked up in the Hundred. No replacement has been announced for Miller. On a positive note, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lizaad Williams returned to action in the rain-affected match. Rabada, who missed the Australian and English ODI legs due to ankle inflammation, bowled the first over in Cardiff. Jansen, recovering from thumb surgery, played two overs, while Williams, back from knee surgery, was in the squad but did not bowl.