Duanne Olivier has been ruled out of South Africa’s three-Test series in England. As of a Grade 2 tear in his right hip flexor muscle. As he sustained the injury during the four-day tour match against England Lions. Which the South Africans lost by an innings and 56 runs. “Duanne presented with significant discomfort involving his right hip flexor muscle at the close of play on day three of the four-day tour match,” team doctor Hashendra Ramjee said. The doctor said, “After clinical assessment, he was referred for an MRI scan which revealed a grade 2 tear.

“Due to the extent of the injury, he has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against England and will return home where he will commence his rehabilitation with the Gauteng Central Lions medical team.” Olivier was the best of the South African quick bowlers in the tour game, sending down 13 overs for returns of 2 for 59. Even as the Lions put up 672 in their only outing with the bat. Olivier became the second South African seamer to suffer an injury on the tour. 

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SA pacer Duanne Olivier ruled out of Test series against England

Olivier’s absence is a huge blow for South Africa ahead of the first Test against England starting from August 17 at Lord’s. The visitors are fretting over the fitness of pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada. Who is in a race against time to recover from an ankle injury. Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje (who sat out of the tour match), Marco Jansen and Lutho Sipamla.

They are also without regular vice-captain Temba Bavuma. Who did not make the tour after suffering on the tour of India earlier in the year. The ankle injury had kept Rabada out of the third T20I against England and the two-match T20I series against Ireland. South Africa are already without Test vice-captain and right-handed batter Temba Bavuma on this tour. Who is recovering from an elbow injury sustained while captaining South Africa in their T20I tour of India in June. At The Oval (from September 8).

Squad: Dean Elgar (capt), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Khaya Zondo, Glenton Stuurman.

South Africa hasn’t been at their best over the last few years, following the retirement of several greats. Despite the loss of some superstars though, South Africa are in a good position with their pace attack. They will be without Anrich Nortje for the Test series, but South Africa still has a good set of pacers, and each provide a new dimension to the attack.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is the most recognizable member of the South African bowling attack, and has played 47 Tests at the young age of 26. He is easily the spearhead of the side, and his aggression, and attitude is what adds fire to South Africa’s bowling. Kagiso Rabada can bowl at high pace, and has a strong bouncer, and a pretty good yorker. He has recently developed a nice slower ball as well, and has had some nice battles with Virat Kohli, and Pujara in the past. Kagiso Rabada will also be chasing a milestone as he is nine wickets away from crossing Vernon Philander’s tally.

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi made a strong start to his international career, when India visited in 2017. The last couple of years though has been tough for him. Frequent injuries and niggles has put Ngidi on the sidelines often, and even when fully fit, Ngidi struggles to find the rhythm to make himself a regular in all three formats. With his heigh, Ngidi can extract discomforting bounce, has a great wrist position, and decent pace. He isn’t as fast as the likes of Nortje or Rabada, but has enough to annoy a batter. Longer spells can be expected, as Ngidi tends to succeed when he finds his rhythm after bowling continuously.

Duanne Oliver

Duanne Oliver was once fighting for a spot with Dale Steyn, and was termed to be key member of the attack following Steyn’s retirement. Oliver however, signed a kolpak deal, and was one of the string of South African players who went to play in England. He is the first returnee among the group to be selected for Test Cricket in South Africa again. Back in the Test side, Oliver is now more experienced, and has some nice variety with an ability to bowl accurately in the full-length region, extracting decent movement. He has nice control over his bowling, and could help keep the runs down with an accurate line and length.

Marco Jensen

The last time India visited South Africa, Marco Jensen impressed Virat Kohli, and that helped him get a deal in the IPL earlier this year. He isn’t very experienced, but has the height, and could get the ball to bounce nicely. He is only 21 years, and could be the X-factor in the South African bowling line-up as he is an unknown quantity.

Beuran Hendricks

Beuran Hendricks is the fifth pacer in the side, and will mostly likely be used as injury cover. He has played one Test so far, but has loads of first-class experience. He can swing the ball nicely, doesn’t bowl too fast, but can control his line and length well to irritate the Indian batters.