South Africa coach Corrie Van
Zyl confirmed Monday that batsman AB De Villiers had gone for a scan on an
injured left thigh muscle, a problem that forced him to use a runner in
Saturday's victory over India.
“We are just waiting for a
full medical report so we will make a decision a little bit later,” Van Zyl
said. “I'm not a doctor. I don't think it's major in terms of out of the
tournament, but as I said I'm not a doctor. I'll wait for the doctor's report.”
De Villiers has scored two centuries and a half-century in four innings at the
World Cup and is likely to be left out for the game against the Irish as South
Africa plans ahead for the knockout stage.
De Villiers also struggled
with a lower back problem earlier in the tournament, with Morne van Wyk taking
over wicketkeeping duties.
Leading bowler Imran Tahir,
who has 11 wickets in three matches, is resting a fractured left thumb that
sidelined him during South Africa's dramatic, last-over win over India.
The Pakistan-born legspinner
was already expected to sit out Tuesday's game after he was advised to undergo
a 10-day recovery period. He fractured the finger against England on March 6.
Van Zyl said his starting
lineup against Ireland “depends on availability” but insisted South Africa
would still be strong in Kolkata as it looks to seal its place in the
quarterfinals.
“We said when we left South
Africa that we have got a 15-man squad we feel that can represent South Africa
on any given day,” Van Zyl told reporters. “That gives us options and I believe
that even if both of them (De Villiers and Tahir) can't play tomorrow, then the
11 that we put in the field will be a strong 11.” The South Africans chose not
to practice at the renovated Eden Gardens on Monday and will head into
Tuesday's match without a formal workout at the stadium.
Van Zyl later went to examine
the Eden Gardens pitch with the team manager and media manager, with no sign of
the Proteas players.
“Because we are not training
doesn't mean we are not prepared,” Van Zyl said. “This is part of our
preparation, having close games (against India).” “Sometimes you just get
caught up with it, do you have to practice or do you practice for the sake of
practicing? But being prepared is important ... we are well aware of what's
expected with day-night matches in Kolkata.” Following the dramatic win over
India, which Van Zyl said was a psychological boost for the team, South Africa
needs one point from its remaining group games against Ireland and Bangladesh
to reach the quarterfinals.
