Injured David Wiese replaced by Albie Morkel for T20 series; Rilee Rossouw ruled out of the ODIs
South Africa Cricket has announced that all-rounder David Wiese has been ruled out of the T20 series against India and will be replaced by Albie Morkel, reports ESPNCricinfo. Meanwhile, Rilee Rossouw has been replaced by Khaya Zondo in the ODI squad as he is yet to fully recover from an injury he sustained in the series against New Zealand in August.
Wiese who is an integral part of the T20 squad, especially considering his prior experience of playing in India turning out for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, fractured his hand as he attempted to take a catch off his own bowling during a warm-up game ahead of the ongoing Africa T20 Cup. He will now require surgery and is estimated to be on the sidelines for at least six weeks.
South Africa T20 skipper Faf du Plessis admitted the loss of Wiese, who is an integral part of the T20 squad, especially considering his prior experience of playing in India with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the IPL, will be a big one.
"David is a fantastic player for us in the T20 format. He has done really well. His bowling is going to be missed the most. He has been a banker from a captain's point of view. You know what you are going to get from him. He is pretty clever in the middle, he is a very smart bowler,” Du Plessis said.
His spot in the side is taken by another seam bowling all-rounder in the form of Albie Morkel, who last played for South Africa in the format at the 2014 World T20. Du Plessis expressed hope that Morkel would seize the opportunity to stake for a place in the side on a consistent basis.
"Albie brings a lot of experience. I suppose Albie would have thought his time is up, once again, but he is getting another opportunity because he is a quality player. For him, it’s important to try and also put a stake, even if he wasn't in our thinking and our plans, he is getting an opportunity to make it so," Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis himself is recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of the series against New Zealand last month but has been passed fit, along with Chris Morris who has recovered from a groin strain.
Rossouw was left out of the ODI squad as he is yet to fully recover from a stress fracture to his foot he suffered in the New Zealand series and was replaced by Zondo, who will now stay on after being initially named only in the T20 squad.
"The medical committee have decided it’s still too early for him to be pushed at this stage," South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. "The plan is to get him to be ready by the end of October."