The Proteas are sweating over the fitness of the young fast bowler, Gerald Coetzee, ahead of their tour to the West Indies.

On Monday the 23-year-old from Bloemfontein was named in the Proteas squad for the two Tests in Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana.

However, he has been released by the Major League Cricket side, the Texas Super Kings, due to an injury.

On Friday, Coetzee sustained a low-grade left abdominal strain and this has put his tour to the West Indies in doubt.

Cricket South Africa confirmed that Coetzee will be returning to South Africa for further medical attention and they will monitor his progress.

“Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been released by Texas Super Kings after sustaining a low-grade left strain in the team's fixture against LA Knight Riders on 5 July in the Major League Cricket.”

“The 23-year-old will undergo further medical assessments by Cricket South Africa’s medical team upon his return home.

“An update will be provided in due course.”

Coetzee has less than a month to recover and prove his fitness in order to be ready for the tour to the Windies.

While Coetzee was named in the Test squad, he was also expected to be named in the squad for the three-match T20 International series.

Coetzee was a part of the Proteas team that recently reached the final of the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, however, he did not play in a single game during the campaign.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport