Yet another injury concern? South Africa sweat over Rassie van der Dussen’s fitness ahead of WI clash

Injury has been the enemy in South Africa’s worst ever start in a World Cup tournament in England and Wales. Amid their three straight defeats in ICC World Cup 2019, South Africa have been hit by an array of injury concerns where one of the key players has already been ruled out of their campaign. And now, the Proteas sweat over batsman Rassie van der Dussen’s fitness ahead of their crucial West Indies tie at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton next week.

The middle-order batsman, who had made his debut for South Africa earlier in January 2019 against Pakistan, incurred a groin strain during Wednesday’s defeat against India at the same venue. However, its severity is yet to be gauged upon. South Africa team management will asses the batsman over their weekend training session.

Rassie managed to provide some solidarity to South Africa’s middle-order lineup with three half-century knocks in his first four ODIs. His batting prowess urged the selectors to select him for the World Cup campaign and he justified his selection with scores of 50, 41 and 22 in the three matches that South Africa have played in the showpiece tournament.

If unfit, South Africa will have to turn towards Aiden Markram, who was benched in the India clash.

Apart from Rassie, South Africa await the return of Lungi Ngidi, who had suffered a hamstring strain during their second World Cup tie, against Bangladesh. His recovery too will be monitored over Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, skipper Faf du Plessis, who was struck on his hand during the India match, has been declared fit for the West Indies game.

Talking about the clash, South Africa lead the head-to-head tie 44-15 in the 61 ODIs that the two nations have played since their first in 1992. They had last met in June 2016 when West Indies had won the match.