South Africa have suffered another injury blow as their emerging pacer Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the 2nd Test against India to be played at the Newlands in Cape Town. Coetzee is the second South African player to be ruled out of the New Year's Test. Earlier, skipper Temba Bavuma was ruled out with a left hamstring strain.
Notably, Coetzee developed a pelvic inflammation during the course of the first Test match against India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion and the same has forced him to sit out of the final Test of the series. Cricket South Africa informed about the latest development with a post on 'X'.
"COETZEE RULED OUT OF NEW YEAR’S TEST AGAINST INDIA
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will miss the second Betway Test against India after developing pelvic inflammation during the first Test at SuperSport Park," CSA captioned its post.
Coetzee, 23, bowled 16 overs in the first innings of the Centurion Test and proved fairly expensive as he leaked 74 runs at 4.62 runs per over. He managed to pick up the solitary wicket of Mohammed Siraj as the Proteas bowled the visitors out for 245.
The right-arm pacer wasn't required to toil hard in the second innings as India folded for 131 in 34.1 overs. Coetzee's fellow pacers Marco Jansen (3/36), Nandre Burger (4/33) and Kagiso Rabada (2/32) ran riot in the second innings to hand the Rohit Sharma-led side a humiliating defeat by an innings and 32 runs.
The hosts have Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi to choose from as a fast-bowling replacement for Coetzee leading into the upcoming Test.
The second Test of the series will commence on January 3, 2024, in Cape Town. Dean Elgar will be seen leading the Proteas in his farewell match in the absence of the regular captain Bavuma.
