South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will miss the second Test against Sri Lanka and the subsequent home series against Pakistan. A groin injury has sidelined the promising pacer.
Coetzee felt discomfort while bowling during the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Subsequent scans revealed a right groin muscle strain. He is expected to recover in four to six weeks.
Kwena Maphaka has been called up to replace Coetzee for the second Test. Maphaka impressed at the Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup earlier this year. He topped the wicket-taking charts with 21 dismissals in six matches.
Maphaka has also represented South Africa in three Twenty20 Internationals, taking one wicket.
In the current World Test Championship cycle (2023-25), Coetzee has played two Tests. He has taken five wickets at an average of 37.40. He bagged two wickets in each innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder is already unavailable for the Sri Lanka series due to a fractured right middle finger. Matthew Breetzke has been named as Mulder's replacement for the second Test.
South Africa convincingly won the first Test against Sri Lanka by 233 runs. This victory earned them valuable World Test Championship points, boosting them to second place in the standings.
South Africa's next three matches include the remaining Test against Sri Lanka and two Tests against Pakistan. A strong performance in these matches would significantly bolster their chances of reaching the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord's.
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