Donovan Ferreira suffered a shoulder injury while playing in the SA T20s.
The T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and Ferreira’s shoulder injury has raised serious concerns about the South African all-rounder’s availability for the global event.
Ferreira sustained the injury last Saturday during the SA T20s. While fielding on the last ball of Pretoria Capitals’ innings, the stand-in captain of the Johannesburg Super Kings fell awkwardly on his left shoulder.
“When he went out to bat later, he faced just one delivery and felt pain in his hand, so he had to ‘retire hurt’,” Ferreira said after the match. “I’m not feeling great. I’ll get it scanned on Sunday.”
The results of Ferreira’s tests have not yet been officially released by the Johannesburg Super Kings. However, according to ESPNcricinfo, Ferreira has suffered a fracture in his shoulder bone.
If that’s the case, it’s unlikely he will play the remaining matches of the ongoing SA T20s. The Johannesburg Super Kings still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs, but they must defeat Paarl Royals on Monday to progress.
Missing Ferreira in the T20 World Cup would be a major blow for South Africa. The Proteas had included him in the squad as a finisher, backup keeper, and part-time off-spinner.
So far, the 27-year-old Ferreira has played 16 T20Is for South Africa, scoring 240 runs at an average of 18.46 with a strike rate of 155.84. He has also taken two wickets in seven innings.
Across 141 recognized T20 matches, Ferreira has scored 2,506 runs at a strike rate of 167.40, including 10 fifties but no centuries. He has claimed 28 wickets with his part-time spin.
If Ferreira is ultimately ruled out of the World Cup, South Africa could bring in Ryan Rickelton. The wicketkeeper-batsman has already scored two centuries for MI Cape Town in the ongoing SA T20s. Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs are also options under consideration.
The Proteas will kick off their World Cup campaign on February 9 against Canada. In Group D, their other opponents are Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates.
