South Africa’s Proteas have updated their roster ahead of the Champions Trophy semi-final clash with New Zealand, naming left-arm spinner George Linde as a replacement option for Aiden Markram.
Markram, who suffered a right hamstring injury during the final group-stage match against England—where he had served as stand-in captain due to Temba Bavuma’s illness—is yet to be ruled out. He is scheduled for a fitness test on Tuesday evening, which will determine his availability for the semi-final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on March 5, 2025.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Linde will join the camp and remain on standby until the ICC’s event technical committee confirms whether he needs to replace Markram. “Linde is here just in case,” said skipper Temba Bavuma at the pre-match press conference, adding that he and Tony de Zorzi have recovered from recent bouts of illness.
With South Africa and New Zealand set to lock horns in what promises to be a pivotal match, the Proteas are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a competitive squad despite the injury concerns.
