South Africa has added George Linde to their squad as a backup for Aiden Markram, who suffered a hamstring injury. Markram will be assessed for his fitness ahead of the semi-final against New Zealand. Linde’s experience and recent performance make him a valuable addition, especially with South Africa’s current injury situation. Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have recovered and will participate in training.
South Africa has summoned George Linde, a left-arm spin bowling allrounder, to join their cricket squad as a traveling reserve to provide coverage for the injured Aiden Markram during the Champions Trophy. Markram sustained a right hamstring injury while fielding against England and remained out of action for the remainder of the match. He is scheduled to undergo a fitness assessment during training on Tuesday evening to ascertain his availability for the upcoming semi-final against New Zealand.
Markram’s injury adds to the count of South Africa’s absentees, which already includes fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams, who were unable to participate in the tournament from the outset. Linde’s inclusion is strategically planned, as South Africa aims to strengthen their spin options should they advance to a potential final against India in Dubai. Currently, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi are the two specialist spinners in the team, with Maharaj being the only one to have played in Pakistan thus far.
In the recent 2025 SA20, Linde contributed significantly to MI Cape Town’s first championship, amassing 161 runs across 11 matches with an impressive strike rate of 153.33, alongside taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.29. Furthermore, in the One-Day Challenge Division One for Western Province, he scored 106 runs and secured four wickets in five contests. Alongside Linde, left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is also positioned as a traveling reserve with the team.
On a positive note, Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have returned to training after overcoming their respective illnesses, indicating a strengthening of the South African squad ahead of the crucial matches. The adaptability of the team is crucial as they navigate these challenges in a significant tournament.
In summary, South Africa’s cricket team has called upon George Linde as a backup for the injured Aiden Markram as they prepare for the Champions Trophy semi-final. Markram’s fitness will be evaluated shortly, while the team’s injury woes continue. Linde’s experience and recent performances provide depth to the squad, particularly with the potential need for additional spin options against stronger opponents. Additionally, the return of Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi bolsters the team’s overall readiness for the upcoming match.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
