Much like the weather in Centurion that started off in blazing sunshine before the heavens opened in the afternoon yesterday, Proteas coach Rob Walter’s day only got progressively worse.
Cricket SA released a statement at 10am with fast bowler Gerald Coetzee included in the Proteas Men’s squad for the upcoming ODI Tri-Series against Pakistan and New Zealand, which will be used as preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy later this month.
Fast bowler Coetzee had not played since January 14 due to a left hamstring strain.
By 2pm yesterday, CSA were forced to send out another release stating Coetzee had been ruled out after the 24-year-old experienced tightness in his groin while completing his 10 overs during training at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria.
It is a significant blow for the Proteas, with Walter seeking a ready-made fast bowling replacement for Anrich Nortjé, who was also ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to injury.
The situation is exacerbated by injured duo Nandré Burger and Lizaad Williams also still being on the sidelines.
With Walters’ options for the Tri-Series, which starts on Saturday in Karachi, limited due to the ongoing SA20 playoffs, the New Zealand-based coach has been forced to cast his net far and wide.
Walter has therefore opted to recall 35-year-old veteran Junior Dala, who played his last ODI back in 2018 in Colombo, along with the previously untried Gideon Peters.
Pretoria Capitals’ Peters is one of six uncapped players who have been included, with Matthew Breetzke, Meeka-eel Prince, Eathan Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy and Mihlali Mpongwana all off to Pakistan.
It has certainly been an astronomical rise for Peters over the past month, after the North West fast bowler received a late call-up as a replacement to the Capitals squad.
Peters was undaunted by the opportunity and delivered a break-out performance on his SA20 debut, when he rushed world-class international batters Devon Conway and Moeen Ali for pace in his second over with a bouncer and a yorker.
Conway could only manage to glove the rising delivery behind, while Moeen was trapped LBW plumb in front with a rapid delivery that injured his toe.
Devon Conway ☝️ Moeen Ali ☝️ It's a dream debut for Gideon Peters 💪 #BetwaySA20 #PCvJSK #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/blX1jLhd1S
Walter admitted it has been taxing putting a competitive squad together, but he is excited to see how the new players adapt to the demands of international cricket.
“It was a challenge, to be honest. Ultimately, you’re checking every day around results and getting an understanding of who’s going to be available for selection, when they’re going to be available for selection. Understanding, trying to get a balance of a team. Of course, there were challenges there,” Walter said.
“But I think the beauty of it is that in South African cricket, we’ve got enough good cricketers, as I’ve said before.
“Even through the winter, part of it is actually exposing them to good international competition and seeing how they step up there, and how they stand up in that competition.
“What’s important, from a coach’s point of view, is we need to create the best environment for our players. Whichever players there are, we need to ensure that those players are going to come and represent South Africa well.
“You couldn’t get more excited guys than the younger guys that have been included in the squad. Can you imagine how awesome that must be, and the opportunity that’s in front of them?
PLAYER UPDATE 🗞
Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the upcoming tri-nation One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan and New Zealand.
The 24-year-old experienced tightness in his groin while completing his 10 overs at training on Wednesday… pic.twitter.com/3vr175kK4z
“We want to just build on that, to ensure that the environment is one that allows them to come and express themselves to that ‘X-factor’ that I was talking about.
“To actually show that X-factor on the international stage and grow in their own confidence, and maybe show us something around their capability at international level.”
The squad were scheduled to travel to Lahore yesterday evening.
Proteas Tri-Series Squad
Temba Bavuma (captain), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Meeka-eel Prince, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne.