Proteas Opener Tony De Zorzi To Miss First Test Against Australia Due To Hamstring Injury

Tony de Zorzi will miss South Africa’s first Test against Australia in Durban next Friday after picking up a hamstring injury. He is the fifth South African player to suffer a hamstring problem in the last two months, following Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka.

De Zorzi picked up the injury while fielding during the third ODI against Australia in Potchefstroom. Cricket South Africa described the issue as mild but confirmed that it will keep him out of the first Test.

South Africa had already named an extended 18-player preliminary squad and have decided not to call up a replacement. They will select their final 15 players early next week.

With De Zorzi unavailable, Marques Ackerman now has a better chance of making his Test debut. The No. 3 batter earned his place in the squad after putting together some strong performances for South Africa A.

Ackerman recently scored a career-best 256 against Bangladesh A and is now in the race for a place in the final XI. Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham are also in contention, with Bedingham another option to bat at No. 5.

There is some good news regarding South Africa’s other injured players. Kagiso Rabada, who picked up his hamstring problem during winter training, remains part of the preliminary squad. His availability for the Durban Test will be decided after the two-day intra-squad match begins tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ngidi, Maphaka and Baartman have been ruled out of the Australia series. They are expected to return later in the summer, with South Africa also set to host Bangladesh and England.

Speaking about the injury, Ngidi said he is currently completing his rehabilitation period, and is focused on returning to the squad before the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.

"I'm not allowed to disclose anything. But all I can tell you is, so far, so good. I'm back running already. That's about as much as I can let you know," said Lungi Ngidi while talking to the reporters.