The opening batsman of South Africa Aiden Markram has been ruled out of the third and final Test against India, which will take place in Ranchi from October 19, (Saturday). Markram suffered from an injury during the Pune Test on his right wrist. The unavailability of Markram has put South Africa in a spot of bother. They have already surrendered the series 2-0 and also have lost spinner Keshav Maharaj due to an injury.
On the bench, there are only two reserved batsmen- Zubyr Hamza and Heinrich Klaasen, both of whom are middle-order batsmen. Possibly, Temba Bavuma might be pushed up the order. Bavuma has batted at the top in only one out of 38 Tests. He managed to play it coincidentally in the 2015 New Delhi Test against India.
South Africa team doctor Hashendra Ramjee said, “A CT scan of Aiden Markram’s wrist showed a fracture involving the wrist bones. The medical team has, therefore, ruled him out of the next Test match against India. Arrangements have been made for him to see a specialist on his return to South Africa for further management of the injury.”
Markram said the injury took place following his dismissal in the second innings of the Test match in Pune.
Markram came to India with a lot of confidence owing to his twin centuries. One was for South Africa A and the other was in a warm-up match before the first Test. He has, however, failed to impress in the two Tests. After scores of 5 and 39 in the first Test in Vizag, he got out for a pair in Pune, following which he is said to have ‘lashed out at a solid object’, resulting in the injury.
Apologizing, Markram, who has headed back home, said this misadventure of his taught him a lesson.
He added, “It’s sad to be going home on this note and I completely understand what I’ve done wrong and take full accountability for it. It’s unacceptable in a Proteas environment and to let the team down is what hurts me the most. I’ve learned a lot from this and the other players I’m sure, have learned from it as well.”
