Lahore, March 4, 2025 – South Africa has called up left-arm spin all-rounder George Linde as a precautionary measure for their Champions Trophy semifinal against New Zealand. The move follows stand-in captain Aiden Markram’s right hamstring injury during the quarterfinal against England. Markram will undergo a fitness test during Tuesday’s training session to determine his availability.
Linde, in strong form this season, was initially left out of the squad but will join as a traveling reserve. His inclusion could be crucial if South Africa reaches the final in Dubai, where spin-friendly conditions may benefit the team. Currently, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi are the specialist spinners in the squad, with only Maharaj having experience in Pakistan. The ICC’s event technical committee will decide on Linde’s official inclusion based on Markram’s fitness results.
