Wicketkeeper-batsman Rudi Second has been ruled out of the Proteas’ Test series against India in October.

Second sustained an ankle injury while training with South Africa A – and will require immediate surgery. He has been replaced in the Test squad by fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen.

‘Klaasen is part of the one-day squad for the South Africa A tour and he will now be added to the squad in Second’s place for the four-day series that will assist his preparation for the Proteas’ Test series,’ said Cricket South Africa acting director of cricket Corrie van Zyl.

This will be Klaasen’s third time in the Test squad. He was included for 2017 and 2018’s series against New Zealand and Australia, respectively, but didn’t play.

The 28-year-old has played 14 ODIs and nine T20Is – and recently became the first South African to hit a century in the Global T20 Canada. He played for the Toronto Nationals.

The squad features two other players uncapped at Test level, too – spinner Senuran Muthusamy and fast bowler Anrich Nortje. The touring party is without batsman Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn, who retired from Test cricket recently.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, meanwhile, has confirmed the second and third Test will swap venues. The second will be played in Pune and third in Ranchi. Visakhapatnam has been retained for the series opener.

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