South Africa suffered a setback just days before their Test series against England when fast bowler Duanne Olivier was ruled out of the entire campaign with a hip injury. The 30-year-old sustained the injury during this week’s four-day tour match against the second-string England Lions in Canterbury and Olivier, a veteran of 15 Tests, is now returning home. “Duanne presented with significant discomfort involving his right hip flexor muscle at the close of play on day three of the four-day tour match,” said Proteas team doctor Hashendra Ramjee in a Cricket South Africa statement issued Sunday. “After clinical assessment, he was referred for an MRI scan which revealed a grade two tear involving the right pectineus muscle. “Due to the extent of the injury, he has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against England and will return home where he will commence his rehabilitation with the Gauteng Central Lions medical team.” South Africa have not named a replacement for Olivier, with fellow quicks Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje already in their squad. The first Test at Lord’s is scheduled to start on Wednesday.
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