March 4, 2025: South Africa has called up left-arm spin all-rounder George Linde as a cover for batter Aiden Markram ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against New Zealand on Tuesday. Markram is dealing with a hamstring injury he sustained during their last league match against England, where he was forced to spend the remainder of the game on the sidelines. A fitness test on Tuesday evening will determine Markram’s availability for the crucial semifinal, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
Linde, who will join the squad as a travelling reserve, will not replace Markram unless he is officially ruled out and the ICC’s event technical committee confirms the swap. The injury to Markram adds to the growing list of Proteas injuries, including pacers Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams, who were all ruled out before the tournament started.\
Linde’s inclusion in the squad is seen as a precautionary measure, particularly if South Africa qualifies for the final against India in Dubai, where conditions are expected to be much drier. With the possibility of requiring an extra spinner, Linde could be a valuable addition. While South Africa currently has two specialist spinners in the squad, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, only Maharaj featured in the game against Pakistan.
India’s recent success playing four spinners in their semifinal against New Zealand has set a precedent, making it likely that South Africa might consider a similar approach if they face India in the final. Linde’s all-round capabilities could be beneficial in these conditions.
In this year’s SA20 competition, Linde played a pivotal role in MI Cape Town’s title-winning campaign, scoring 161 runs at a strike rate of 153.33 and picking up 11 wickets at an exceptional average of 6.29. His form in domestic cricket further strengthens his case as a valuable asset for the Proteas.
Alongside Linde, left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka is another travelling reserve. On a positive note, batters Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have recovered from illness and are set to begin their training as they prepare for the upcoming matches.
Tags: South Africa, George Linde, Aiden Markram, ICC Champions Trophy, Injury Update, New Zealand, Hamstring Injury, Proteas, Cricket Reserves, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, SA20, MI Cape Town, Temba Bavuma, Kwena Maphaka, Cricket News, Cricket Semifinal, Dubai, Injury Concerns, Cricket Squad