CRICKET
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada out of IPL due to back injury
The world's top-ranked Test bowler picked up a back injury during the fourth and final Test against Australia.
South Africa cricketer Kagiso Rabada - the world's top-ranked Test bowler - has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a lower-back stress reaction.
According to Cricbuzz, the 22-year-old felt tightness and discomfort during the Proteas' fourth and final Test against Australia in Johannesburg, which the hosts won by a 492-run margin to clinch the series 3-1.
Subsequent scans revealed the back injury.
Up to three months on the sidelines
South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosaje says that Rabada, whose card is retained by the IPL's Delhi Daredevils, will be out of action for up to three months.
"Kagiso has been diagnosed with a lower back stress reaction which will rule him out of cricket action for up to three months,' Moosajee explained in a statement.
"He will need a month’s break from all physical activity before commencing with a rehabilitation programme to get him ready for the series against Sri Lanka in July."
Rabada was the leading wicket-taker in the series against Australia, with 23 at an average of 19.26.
After the second Test, he won an appeal over an alleged shoulder contact with Australian captain Steve Smith, which would have earned him a two-match suspension.
He is the latest big name to drop out of the IPL this season, after Australians Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year over a ball-tampering scandal.