Maharaj out of ODIs, in doubt for crucial Test series

First-choice spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against Pakistan and is a doubt for the crucial two-Test home series against the sub-continent side.

Maharaj has a left adductor strain and will miss the 50-over fixtures in Cape Town on Thursday and Johannesburg on Sunday, but of much greater concern will be the 34-year-old's availability for the Test series that begins on December 26.

South Africa are top of the World Test Championship table and need victory in one of their two remaining matches against Pakistan to guarantee a place at the Lord's final in June next year.

Should Maharaj be unavailable, the only specialist spinner in the Test squad is the less experienced Senuran Muthusamy.

Bjorn Fortuin has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs.