Rabada ruled out of Australia ODIs with Tests still uncertain

Kagiso Rabada prepares to bowl for South Africa before a right hamstring injury interrupted his schedule.

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match one-day international series against Australia after suffering a right hamstring strain, leaving his availability for the following Test series uncertain. Cricket South Africa confirmed that Rabada has begun rehabilitation under the supervision of its medical team.

The ODI series begins in Durban on September 24 and runs through September 30. Rabada will miss all three matches, removing South Africa's leading pace option from the squad for the first part of Australia's tour.

South Africa will then host Australia in a three-Test series, beginning in Durban on October 9. Further matches are scheduled for Gqeberha and Cape Town, but Rabada's place in the squad will depend on how he progresses through his recovery.

Cricket South Africa will make a decision closer to the Test series. The board has not confirmed a return date, keeping the pace spearhead's status open as the first Test approaches.

Rabada's domestic bowling coach Allan Donald said the hamstring problem could keep him out for as long as 10 weeks. That possible timeline would place the fast bowler's preparation for the Australia Tests under close scrutiny during the weeks ahead.

The injury is a significant concern for South Africa because Rabada has been one of the side's most effective bowlers against Australia. He has taken 11 Tests against them at an average of 21.39, slightly better than his career Test average of 22.03.

The first Test will open a demanding home stretch for South Africa, with eight Tests scheduled across the summer. Rabada's recovery will therefore be monitored not only for the Australia series but also for the wider programme that follows.

For the immediate period, South Africa must prepare for the ODI series without their pace spearhead. The team will then wait for medical progress before deciding whether Rabada can be included for the first Test against Pat Cummins's Australia.

The board's update confirmed the ODI absence while leaving no certainty over the longer format. Rabada now faces a race through rehabilitation to make himself available for a series that will provide one of South Africa's biggest challenges of the home season