South Africa name new captain for second test against Zimbabwe after Keshav Maharaj gets ruled out

Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second test due to a groin injury.

In a big blow to South Africa, their stand-in skipper for the away test tour of Zimbabwe, Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second test. Maharaj has been ruled out due to a groin injury, which he sustained while batting on day three of the first test.

Keshav Maharaj was appointed as the stand-in skipper for South Africa in the series after regular skipper Temba Bavuma was deemed unfit to play in the series. Bavuma sustained a hamstring injury during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against Australia last month.

South Africa are on a tour of Zimbabwe for two test matches. The second test will commence on July 6 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. South Africa lead the series 1-0 after winning the opening game.

Wiaan Mulder replaces Keshav Majaraj as skipper for second test against Zimbabwe

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been appointed as the captain of South Africa in the absence of Keshav Maharaj for the second test. Moreover, left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy has replaced Maharaj in the squad. Lungi Ngidi, who was set to join the team ahead of the second test, has been released from the squad.

Notably, Maharaj delivered a brilliant performance in the first test. The Proteas spinner captured four wickets in the match, including a three-wicket haul in the first innings. He also slammed a crucial half-century in the second innings.

Meanwhile, South Africa won the first test by 328 runs. Opting to bat first, the visitors piled up 418/9d in the first innings with centuries by Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch. Later, they bowled out the hosts for 291/10, with Sean William hitting a ton.

In the second innings, Mulder slammed a century as South Africa ended with 369/10 on the scoreboard, setting a mountainous target of 537 for Zimbabwe. The hosts were bundled out for 208 in the second innings, losing the encounter by a big margin.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.