Proteas blow as Coetzee ruled out of 2nd Test against Sri Lanka

SOUTH Africa has ruled talented paceman Gerald Coetzee for the second Test against Sri Lanka, which begins at St George’s Park in Gqeberhaon Thursday. 

The impressive speedster picked up a groin injury in the Proteas 233-run win over  Sri Lankan in Durban, and with a short turnaround for the final Test, he looks unlikely to be passed fit. 

Coetzee began the morning session on Saturday, with a three over spell, but only bowled two overs in his second stint. He then bowled his final three overs after lunch despite telling coach coach Shukri Conrad his groin was sore. 

Coetzee, who took four wickets in the Proteas win, underwent scans on Monday, and they showed a minor groin strain, which will also rule him out of the all-formats Pakistan tour of South Africa beginning later this month.

The Proteas have already ruled out all-rounder Wiaan Mulder with a fractured right middle finger, suffered earlier in the test, with Matthew Breetzke named as his replacement. 

Dane Paterson looms as the likely replacement for Coetzee, after sitting out the first Test, with teenage paceman Kwena Maphaka added to the squad.

South Africa is paying 1.40 to win the second Test at cricket betting sites, with the Sri Lankans paying 4.00. A draw has been priced at 9.50.