Ferreira ruled out of T20 WC [Source: X}
With just a few weeks left for the T20 World Cup, the South African team has been hit with a massive injury-issue as their star all-rounder, Donovan Ferreira, could miss the marquee event in India and Sri Lanka due to an injury he sustained in the ongoing SA20 competition.
He suffered a nasty shoulder injury while fielding near the cover region for Joburg Super Kings against Pretoria Capitals. The all-rounder put in a dive to save a certain boundary and landed awkwardly on his left shoulder, and got hurt.
Later in the match, when he came out to bat, Ferreira couldn’t extend his shoulder and retired hurt after playing just one delivery. According to ESPNCricinfo, Ferreira will go for further scans to determine the extent of his injury and the recovery timeline. JSK revealed Jarren Bacher as his replacement for remainder of SA20.
Ferreira almost out of T20 World Cup, will his absence hurt the Proteas?
The latest setback has ruled Ferreira out of the SA20 competition, and his participation in the T20 World Cup hangs by a slender thread as the Proteas side sweats hard over his fitness for the mega event. He was going through a purple patch, and the selectors drafted him into the team as a finisher, a keeper, and a part-time bowler.
South Africa had pinned high hopes on him for the World Cup, as the batter was having a prolific run and was set to be used in multiple roles. However, now the South African side will need to alter its plans.
In the SA20 2025-26 competition the all-rounder has had a strike rate of 171, and he has also scalped 5 wickets at an economy of 7.87, showcasing his prowess for the Super Kings.
Player who could replace Ferreira in South Africa squad
If Ferreira indeed gets ruled out of the T20 World Cup, and there is a genuine possibility for that to happen, then, in that case, the Proteas will have a couple of players who can replace him in the team.
Ryan Rickelton has been in sublime form and is the leading run-getter of the SA20 season so far. He has racked up 337 runs in 10 matches, and could be a good shout for a place in the Proteas squad.
The other name that comes to mind is Tristan Stubbs. He was dropped from the World Cup squad after a string of low scores in T20Is, but the batter could fulfil the role of a finisher and could be drafted in if the team needs a like-for-like replacement.
South Africa's injury-crisis before T20 World Cup
Not only Ferreira, but South Africa is also worried by Tony de Zorzi, who is nursing a hamstring injury and has been out of the game since December. The southpaw was included in the Proteas squad for the T20 World Cup, and if de Zorzi fails to clear the fitness test, the Rainbow nation might have to find another replacement player for the World Cup.
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