Gerald Coetzee has recovered from the left hamstring injury that ruled him out of SA20. Picture: Sportzpics
The Proteas have received a significant boost ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy next month with fast bowler Gerald Coetzee having recovered from injury.
Injury-plagued Coetzee was struck down with a left hamstring strain during a SA20 match against the Durban’s Super Giants on January 14. He was subsequently ruled out of JSK’s SA20 campaign.
The 24-year-old had only just recovered from a groin strain that had seen him miss the majority of the international home summer too. But Coetzee has been deemed fit enough to take his place in the Proteas’ squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against Pakistan and New Zealand from 8-14 February in Lahore and Karachi.
The tri-series squad has an unfamiliar look to it due to the majority of the Proteas still involved in the SA20 play-offs with more players set to be added following the Eliminator between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings on Wednesday.
Six uncapped players have been included in Matthew Breetzke, Meeka-eel Prince, Gideon Peters, Eathan Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy and Mihlali Mpongwana.
It has certainly been an astronomical rise for Peters over the past month after the North West fast bowler received a late call-up as a replacement to the Pretoria Capitals squad.
Peters was undaunted by the opportunity and delivered a breakout performance on his SA20 debut when he rushed world-class international batters Devon Conway and Moeen Ali for pace in his second over with a bouncer and a yorker.
Conway could only manage to glove the rising delivery behind, while Moeen was trapped plumb in front with a rapid delivery that injured his toe.
With fellow Capitals fast bowler Anrich Nortje ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to injury and Coetzee habitually struggling with injuries, Walter is certainly exploring his fast bowling options ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
This has also led to a Proteas recall for veteran seamer Junior Dala, who played his last ODI back in 2018 in Colombo.
The squad will travel to Lahore on Wednesday evening.
Proteas Tri-Series squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), Eathan Bosch*, Matthew Breetzke*, Gerald Coetzee, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana*, Senuran Muthusamy*, Gideon Peters*, Meeka-eel Prince*, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne (wk)
* Uncapped
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