South Africa has called up fast bowler Marchant de Lange to bolster its bowling reserves, hit hard by injuries to Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn, for the last two Tests against India.
A Cricket South Africa media release said that while Steyn continued to make progress from a groin injury, sustained during the first Test at Mohali that the visitors lost, he remained a doubtful starter for the third match of the series commencing at Nagpur on November 25.
de Lange, who was part of the T20 squad that beat India 2-0, has played two Tests, the last being against New Zealand in Wellington in 2012.
Explaining the decision to call up de Lange, South Africa coach Russell Domingo, said, “At the moment we only have three fit seamers in Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott. With Dale still struggling with a groin injury, we decided to bring Marchant in as cover so we are prepared in case one of the three breaks down.”
