Shamsi returns home for family reasons
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Tabraiz Shamsi has flown back to South Africa midway through their Test series against Sri Lanka, citing family reasons. His return date remains unknown and a replacement for the spinner has not been named ahead of the second Test, starting on Friday (July 20).
Shamsi, who is also part of the ODI and T20I squads for this tour, featured in the first Test for the South African side. He took four wickets in that match, which was his only second Test for the Proteas.
South Africa have two other specialist spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Shaun von Berg, for the upcoming Test. Maharaj also took four scalps in the first Test and von Berg is yet to make his debut for South Africa.
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According to South Africa selector Linda Zondi, von Berg “gives additional batting strength in the lower order” and the tourists do need that after totaling only 199 runs in two innings in the last game.
Sri Lanka are leading the series 1-0 after winning the first game by 278 runs. The second Test is now a must-win situation for the visiting side if they want to avoid a series defeat. Following the two-Test series, the islanders will host South Africa for five more ODIs and a one-off T20I.