South Africa’s opening batsman Aiden Markram has been ruled out of the third and final Test against India at Ranchi following an injury to his right wrist. The injury occurred during the Pune Test match when in a fit of anger, Markram hit a “solid object” after his dismissal in the second innings.
Team doctor, Hashendra Ramjee said, “A CT scan of Aiden Markram’s wrist showed a fracture involving the wrist bones. The medical team has, therefore, ruled him out of the next Test match against India. Arrangements have been made for him to see a specialist on his return to South Africa for further management of the injury.”
This week we had already heard news of Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh suffering a similar injury during a Sheffield Shield game, hence ruling out his participation in the upcoming series against Pakistan. South Africa were also wounded after the innings loss at Pune and had lost Keshav Maharaj to injury.
A very disappointed Markram said, “It’s sad to be going home on this note and I completely understand what I’ve done wrong and take full accountability for it. It’s unacceptable in a Proteas environment and to let the team down is what hurts me the most. I’ve learned a lot from this and the other players I’m sure, have learned from it as well. We understand in sports that emotions run high and sometimes the frustration gets the better of you as it did for me, but as I said, it’s no excuse. I’ve taken full responsibility for it, I have apologized to the team and hopefully, I can make it up to them and the people of South Africa soon.”
The South African has left India for home and with little time to fly in a replacement, South Africa is expected to use the resources in hand.
Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma and Senuran Muthusamy have all opened at first-class level. The idea of de Kock opening with Dean Elgar is a realistic one although we might actually see Temba Bavuma walk out to open given that he did the job in 2015 in this very country at an early stage in his career.
Markram’s injury could mean that South Africa will be forced to field one of Heinrich Klaasen or Zubayr Hamza. Both of them could also come in with de Bruyn sitting out.