South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder will not bowl or field for the remainder of the Durban Test against Sri Lanka after fracturing his right middle finger while batting in the first innings. Mulder sustained the injury on the fifth ball of the 27th over, bowled by Lahiru Kumara when the ball nipped back and jammed his finger into the bat handle.
The 25-year-old received on-field treatment, resulting in a 10-minute delay, but continued to face two more deliveries before retiring hurt. He returned to bat after South Africa lost their ninth wicket, scoring 9 not out, including a six off Dhananjaya de Silva.
An X-ray taken during the lunch break confirmed the fracture, and Mulder’s absence prompted Ryan Rickelton to take over his fielding duties.
South Africa’s strategy of deploying a four-seam, one-spin attack has been disrupted, as Mulder’s injury leaves them with only three seamers: Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee. Keshav Maharaj remains the sole specialist spinner, with Aiden Markram available to bowl off-spin if required.
Though Mulder’s immediate future is uncertain, the injury is expected to rule him out of next week’s Test in Gqeberha. South Africa, having named only a 14-player squad, may turn to spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy or seamer Dane Paterson as replacements. Rickelton, the spare batter, could also be an option.
Mulder’s absence will be a blow to South Africa as they look to maintain their momentum in the series.
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