Proteas manager confirms Amla's absence
South Africa will definitely be without star batsman Hashim Amla for the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai, after the birth of his child did not happen in time for him to make it back to the UAE in time.
South Africa will definitely be without star batsman Hashim Amla for the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai, after the birth of his child did not happen in time for him to make it back to the UAE in time.
Amla had to leave South Africa on Tuesday morning in order to be back for the game, but his baby had other ideas and had not yet arrived, so the batsman stayed put, with his wife. Dean Elgar will be the likely replacement.
Team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said on Tuesday: "Hashim's wife hasn't given birth yet, so he won't be playing in tomorrow's Test match."
As for the other concern in the camp, fast bowler Dale Steyn will undergo a late fitness test on Wednesday after picking up a hamstring niggle in training, with Moosajee saying they wanted to avoid aggravating the injury.
He said: "Dale sustained what was initially thought to be a right hamstring strain but fortunately the MRI scan revealed that there was no major pathology so we are treating it as tightness. He will undergo a fitness test either this afternoon or the latest (tomorrow) morning.
"The challenge with a tight hamstring is the fear of aggravating it. It could easily become a strain or progress into a tear, so we will be managing it carefully especially with a long tour ahead of us."
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