Cape Town - The Dolphins’ CSA T20 Challenge campaign has been dealt an unfortunate blow after the withdrawal from the Durban Franchise’s star all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo from the remainder of the competition.
Phehlukwayo, who left a telling mark on the international game earlier this season when he made his Standard Bank Proteas debut against Ireland and Australia, suffered a nasty injury in the Dolphins’ match against the Warriors in Durban on Sunday.
Bowling the final delivery of his second over, having already taken two key wickets and gone for just three runs, Phehlukwayo was struck by a Jon-Jon Smuts shot in the groin.
The 20 year-old left the field immediately and on Monday saw a urologist and then underwent surgery on Tuesday that will rule him out of the remainder of the T20 tournament. It will be between four and six weeks before he commences with his post-operation recovery.
“As a team we’re obviously very concerned for him and just want him to take good care of his body and get better so that he’s got a chance to come back and fire for us, for South Africa and continue a great career,” says head coach, Grant Morgan.
“We obviously weren’t happy with our performance against the Warriors on Sunday but Andile was one of our stars in that game; he came in and bust the game open while bowling and hit a great six with the bat and he’s a warrior for us.
“From a team point of view, we’ve dedicated our game tonight (Wednesday) against the Lions to him and our attitude is for him and he must be happy with what he while watching on television,” added Morgan.