South Africa Suffer Injury Jolt As Tony de Zorzi Ruled Out Of 1st Test vs Australia- Report

Tony de Zorzi ruled out of 1st Test vs Australia [Source: AFP]Ahead of the Test series between South Africa and Australia, the hosts suffered a major injury jolt as star player Tony de Zorzi has reportedly been ruled out of the 1st Test due to a hamstring injury. According to Cricinfo, he sustained the injury while fielding during the 3rd ODI match, and it will keep him on the sidelines.The niggle was described as “mild” by Cricket South Africa, but it was enough for the Proteas team management not to take any risk with him, as the left-handed batter won’t take any part in the first Test, starting on October 9.No replacement announced as De Zorzi becomes South Africa's latest casualtyCricket South Africa named an extended 18-member squad for the Test series against Australia, and the team has decided not to replace the injured batter in their final 15-man squad before the 1st Test commences.De Zorzi becomes the fifth South African player to be troubled with a hamstring injury. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, and Kwena Maphaka are the other four who have been plagued by hamstring problems in the last two months.Also Read: Anrich Nortje’s Test Stats: A Closer Look At His Record Before South Africa Return Vs AustraliaDe Zorzi was a sure-shot starter for South Africa in their playing XI against the Aussies, but with the southpaw ruled out, Marques Ackerman, the number 3 batter, is likely to replace him in the playing XI.Ackerman has done well in the South African domestic circuit, and he was picked in the preliminary squad, and he might get a chance to play in the Test match in Durban.De Zorzi missed a chance to cement his Test place permanentlyHaving made his Test debut for the Proteas in 2023, De Zorzi has yet to justify his talent at the international level. His red-ball averages since his Test debut has been 28.40, 30.53, and 31.90, respectively, and the upcoming series was a chance for him to stake his claim in the team.So far, De Zorzi’s Test journey has been topsy-turvy, and with newcomers coming into the Proteas team, the Australia Tests provided the perfect opportunity for the southpaw to become a permanent member of the team.Now, with De Zorzi ruled out, Ackerman has the chance to cement his place in the Test team, especially since the Proteas will play a couple of tricky series after the Australia matches.Also Read: Rohit Sharma Goes Past Jacques Kallis: All Records He Made In India vs West Indies 3rd ODI