South Africa on Tuesday roped in left-arm spin bowling all-rounder George Linde as a cover for injured Aiden Markram ahead of their Champions Trophy semifinals against New Zealand.
Markram, who captained South Africa in their final league game against England, had sustained a right hamstring injury and didn’t take part in the match after leaving the field in the 31st over.
“He will undergo a fitness test at training on Tuesday evening to determine his availability for the semi-final against New Zealand,” a report in ESPNcricinfo said.
“Linde will join the South African camp on Tuesday evening but will not officially replace Markram in the squad unless he is ruled out and the ICC’s event technical committee confirms the swap.”
Linde scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 153.33 and picked up 11 wickets at an economy of 6.29 in 11 games at the SA20 this year. He also scored 106 runs and took four wickets in five games for Western Province in the One-Day Challenge Division One.
Skipper Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have also recovered from illness and trained this evening.
