Image: The South Africa team has added George Linde as a replacement for Aiden Markram / © CricToday
For the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa has called up left-arm spin all-rounder George Linde as a traveling reserve to cover for Aiden Markram, who suffered a right hamstring injury against England. Markram will undergo a fitness test on Tuesday evening to determine his availability for the semi-final against New Zealand.
South Africa has already faced multiple injury setbacks, with fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams ruled out before the tournament. Linde’s inclusion provides an additional spin option, especially if South Africa qualifies for the final in Dubai, where dry conditions may favor spinners. Currently, the team has two specialist spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, with only Maharaj having prior experience playing in Pakistan.
Linde has been in good form, playing a crucial role in MI Cape Town’s SA20 title win with 161 runs at a strike rate of 153.33 and 11 wickets at an economy of 6.29. In the One-Day Challenge Division One, he scored 106 runs and took four wickets in five matches. Meanwhile, traveling reserve Kwena Maphaka remains with the squad, while Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have recovered from illness and will resume training.