The pundits of the game maybe of the view that playing the SA20 League, South Africa's domestic T20 franchise league in January-February is an ideal preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, the plan seems to be going haywire and threatening to derail South Africa's plans with key players picking injuries while playing for their respective franchises.
Star all-rounder David Miller is the latest player to pick a niggle in the SA20. Miller, captain of the Paarl Royals in the ongoing SA20, left the field during his team's final home game against Durban’s Super Giants on Monday after appearing to sustain an injury while fielding.
This adds to a growing list of injury setbacks that could affect South Africa’s squad for the marquee event starting on February 19.
The incident occurred in the 14th over of the match when Miller attempted to field in the covers a shot played by Marcus Stoinis. A couple of minutes later, Miller left the field accompanied by the Royals’ medical team. While he was able to walk unaided, albeit gingerly, he climbed the stairs to the changeroom with some difficulty. The seriousness of the injury is yet to be confirmed, but it has sparked concerns about his availability for the Champions Trophy.
My right groin is a little tight. 35 now, but just a little tweak there. Tried to get off before it could get any worse.
But the injury clouds remain for him and he will have to be extra cautious in the remaining matches for Paar Royals as there is the threat of exacerbating the injury which would throw a spanner in the works for South Africa.
Miller however said there are young players coming up and praised his teammates Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann, who have done reasonably well in SA20 so far. On Monday, Pretorius scored 43 off 29 balls while Hermann struck 59 off 51 balls as Paarl Royals chased a target of 144 and won by six wickets.
It is just so good to see the youngsters (like Hermann and Pretorius) coming through and showing their skills. Really lucky to have them, even more so now. Nice to see them getting stuck in and tearing teams apart.
Also adding to South Africa's troubles is the absence of pacer Lungi Ngidi, who missed his fourth consecutive game for the Royals and has played only three out of eight matches in the SA20. Ngidi, who spent the entire international summer sidelined with a groin injury, is being carefully reintroduced to competitive cricket.
Anrich Nortje, one of their premier pacers, has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a back injury. To make matters worse, Gerald Coetzee, who was tipped as Nortje’s likely replacement, is out of the SA20 due to a hamstring injury.
The country's stocks in past bowling are depleting fast because Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, and Beuran Hendricks are already injured before the start of the SA20 and doubtful for the Champions Trophy.
However, the performance of young pacer Kwena Maphaka is proving a silver lining in the current scenario, says Miller.
The left-armer with a lot of pace, missed out in the last game, coming back in and bowling with swing…really nice to see all the guys pulling together in the right direction.
With the clock ticking, the South African selectors will be praying that not only Miller, but the injured fast bowlers too recover in time to board the flight for the Champions Trophy.
