South Africa dealt major triple blow ahead of women's Test

Seamers Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka were expected to form part of a much-vaunted bowling attack, eight years on from the Proteas' last Test, while Chloe Tryon is the vice-captain

South Africa have been dealt a major triple blow ahead of the women's Test against England, with Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka and Chloe Tryon all ruled out.

Seamers Ismail and Khaka were expected to form part of a much-vaunted bowling attack, eight years on from the Proteas' last Test.

Ismail, who is nursing a calf problem, is widely considered to be among the fastest bowlers in the women's game, while Khaka has developed into a skilful operator – only three players took more wickets during the recent World Cup. She has not been deemed to be available for Test selection.

Tryon, vice-captain to Sune Luus, has been ruled out with a hip injury.

Speaking to The Cricketer on Friday, a day after the end of a warmup game against England A in which she batted and bowled, the allrounder had described her excitement about making a first Test appearance since her debut in 2014.

"We would have obviously loved to have the likes of Aya, Shabnim and Chloe in our Test squad, with the experience they bring and skill sets they have," said Luus in a Sunday press conference.

^{Chloe Tryon is South Africa's vice-captain (Phil Walter/Getty Images)}

"But we still have an amazing team. We come off a great warmup match where some of the younger players really performed and put their hands up.

"I'm still very excited for the Test match and to see what the new players can do. But I guess we are all new to playing a Test match, so it's going to be a new experience for all of us. I'm very excited for the younger players coming through."

South Africa are also without regular captain Dane van Niekerk, who has been absent since January with an ankle injury, as well as Mignon du Preez, who retired from Test and ODI cricket following the World Cup.

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