George Linde Called Up to Replace Injured Aiden Markram for Champions Trophy
George Linde has been called up as a reserve for injured Aiden Markram for the Champions Trophy following Markram’s hamstring injury sustained during the match against England. Linde’s addition is a strategic move in anticipation of needing an extra spinner, especially if South Africa qualifies for the final against India. Meanwhile, other players continue to recover from illnesses, and Linde’s recent domestic performances highlight his readiness.
South Africa has summoned George Linde, a left-arm spin bowling allrounder, to the squad as a traveling reserve in light of Aiden Markram’s injury. Markram sustained a right hamstring injury while fielding during the recent match against England and remained sidelined for the duration of the game. He is scheduled to undergo a fitness assessment on Tuesday evening to ascertain his ability to participate in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Markram’s injury adds to a significant list of South African players who are currently unavailable, including fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams, all of whom were ruled out prior to the tournament’s commencement. Although Linde will join the South African team, he will only officially replace Markram if the latter is confirmed unfit and the ICC’s event technical committee sanctions the substitution.
This strategic addition of Linde appears to be a proactive measure in anticipation of a possible final against India in Dubai, where the conditions may necessitate the presence of an additional spinner. The current squad features specialist spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, with only Maharaj having previous experience playing in Pakistan. For context, India included four spinners in their recent match against New Zealand in Dubai.
Linde has recently demonstrated his skill in domestic cricket, playing a pivotal role in MI Cape Town’s victory in the 2025 SA20, where he contributed 161 runs at a strike rate of 153.33 and captured 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.29 in 11 matches. His recent performance for Western Province in the One-Day Challenge Division One includes scoring 106 runs and acquiring four wickets across five games.
In addition to Linde, left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is also with the squad as a traveling reserve. Fortunately, Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have recovered from their recent illnesses and are expected to participate in training this evening.
In summary, George Linde’s call-up as a reserve for Aiden Markram highlights South Africa’s ongoing struggles with player injuries as they approach critical matches in the Champions Trophy. With only two spinners in the squad and many players ruled out, Linde’s inclusion is a tactical adjustment aimed at bolstering the team’s performance in potentially challenging conditions. The fitness test for Markram will ultimately dictate the final squad composition as they prepare to face New Zealand in a crucial semi-final.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
