ENG vs SA 2025: Tony De Zorzi ruled out of remaining two ODIs with hamstring injury

Published - 04 Sept 2025, 17:54 IST | Updated - 04 Sept 2025, 18:05 IST

South Africa suffered a setback in their ongoing ODI series against England, as left-handed batter Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out of the remaining two matches due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old sustained the injury during the opening match in Leeds.

De Zorzi, who has been a solid addition to South Africa’s limited-overs squad, was drafted into the XI as a reserve option after Matthew Breetzke’s hamstring concerns. His injury has put the visitors without a backup top-order batter for the rest of the series.

The injury occurred while de Zorzi was fielding on the boundary during England’s innings. In an attempt to stop a powerful shot from Jos Buttler, he dived and successfully prevented the ball from reaching the rope. However, he landed awkwardly and immediately clutched his left hamstring. After receiving on-field treatment, he walked off and did not return for the rest of the innings.

Although de Zorzi was technically available to bat, South Africa did not need his services as they comfortably chased down England’s total of 132 runs, winning by seven wickets to go 1–0 up in the three-match series. Cricket South Africa later confirmed that the left-hander would return home for scans to assess the extent of the injury.

The selectors have opted not to name a replacement for de Zorzi, since he was already a reserve inclusion. His spot is expected to be taken back by Matthew Breetzke, who has recovered from a minor hamstring tweak of his own. Breetzke, who averages 94.5 in ODIs, missed the final game in Australia and the first in England but is now fit and available for selection.

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Meanwhile, ace pacer Kagiso Rabada has been sidelined with ankle inflammation, did not feature in the Leeds match, and his availability for the series is uncertain. The squad was strengthened by the inclusion of Codi Yusuf.

Captain Temba Bavuma is another name under watch. He has been playing under workload-management protocols following a hamstring injury suffered during the World Test Championship final. While Bavuma has featured in the first ODI, the management is expected to rest him for one of the remaining two games to avoid aggravating his fitness issues.