Elgar to replace injured Amla in Proteas ODI squad

Batsman Dean Elgar has been added to the Proteas ODI squad to take on Zimbabwe in the three-match series starting in Kimberley on Sunday.

Elgar replaces Hashim Amla, who has been ruled out of the series due to a finger injury.

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Commenting on Amla’s injury, team manager, Mohammed Moosajee said: “Hashim sustained a tear to the tendon in his left fifth digit while fielding during the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League.

“The injury will need up to three weeks to heal making him unavailable for the series against Zimbabwe.

National selector Linda Zondi said of Elgar’s inclusion: “We have said that the Zimbabwe series is an opportunity to further explore our ODI options and the unfortunate injury to Hashim gives us an opportunity to see what Dean is capable of in the limited-overs format.”

The Proteas medical team has also decided to withdraw captain Faf du Plessis from the squad as he still needs more time to recover from the shoulder injury that sustained in Sri Lanka.

JP Duminy has been chosen to lead the ODI side with Moosajee hopeful that Du Plessis will return for the T20I series against Zimbabwe that starts on 9 October.

Moosajee explained: “The CSA medical committee has also withdrawn Faf from the ODI series. He has not made a satisfactory recovery from his shoulder injury and has been given more time to make a complete recovery.

“We are hopeful he will be fit enough to return to lead the T20 side for the three-match series against Zimbabwe.”

Spinner Keshav Maharaj has been released from the ODI squad and will play for the Dolphins in their first round four-day competition fixture against the Titans starting on Wednesday.