The star 19-year-old fast bowler of the VKB Knights, Gerald Coetzee, has returned back to Bloemfontein after picking up a hamstring injury over the weekend in the game against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants.

Coetzee made his debut for the Johannesburg-based team last weekend against the Cape Town Blitz at Newlands.

The youngster impressed during his initial spell and bag the prized scalps of Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan.

Unfortunately for Coetzee, he will play no further part in the T20 tournament, however, his focus will shift to his third U19 ICC World Cup when it is hosted in South Africa early next year. Coetzee may well captain the host nation during the tournament.

Coetzee confirmed to OFM Sport that he is out, but will treasure the experience, and being able to play against his all-time hero, Dale Steyn.

“This whole experience in the MSL has just been unreal. It’s been such an awesome learning experience for me.

“It’s not just about my own game. It’s about seeing how other international cricketers go about their game and how they prepare for games. Already in my short time, I've learnt so much and it was just awesome to share a change-room with those people.

“To call some of them my teammates now that I have made my debut, someone like Kagiso Rabada or Temba Bavuma. Temba is such a good captain, even though things haven’t gone our way he has kept a very cool head.

“Making my debut against the Cape Town Blitz was so, so cool, especially against Dale Steyn who is my all-time hero. That was unreal.

“The hamstring niggle has unfortunately sent me back home to Bloem now, but I will be focusing on my South Africa U19 and World Cup things now.”

While the Stars have to make do without the promising youngster for the remainder of the MSL T20, they have brought in the former Proteas batsman, Neil McKenzie, into the coaching staff for the rest of their campaign.

The Stars will face the Paarl Rocks on Friday at Boland Park in their next match of the MSL T20. The Stars are still winless after four games.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport