Proteas Win Toss But Suffer Heinrich Klaasen Blow In Afghanistan Champions Trophy Opener

The Proteas will have to make do without one their best batsmen for their opening Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan .

Middle-order basher Heinrich Klaasen has been ruled out of the match as a precautionary measure due to a left elbow soft tissue injury. The hard-hitting Titans star featured in the warm-up matches, but will have to watch the game from the sidelines.

Tony de Zorzi has come into the team at the top of the order and will open the batting with the in-form Ryan Rickelton. He got the nod over Tristan Stubbs, who will carry the drinks during the match.

The two openers will immediately be thrown into the middle after Proteas captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat on a surface that has a bit of a green tinge, but also a few cracks.

The Proteas have decided to go with the four seamers, with Lungi Ngidi and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder selected in the starting eleven. Keshav Maharaj is the only front-line spinner in the team, with Tabraiz Shamsi left out.