Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has returned from the ankle injury that sidelined him from competitive cricket for three months.

Mulder fell for a duck, but took four key wickets in the Lions’ convincing 4-Day Franchise Series victory over the Dolphins at Kingsmead earlier this week. The right-armer bowled 21 overs across two innings.

Prior to the fixture in Durban, he hadn’t played since early October 2018, when the Proteas met Zimbabwe.

‘Wiaan felt some pain and discomfort in his left ankle at practice and has been withdrawn from the remainder of the ODI series,’ Proteas team manager, doctor Mohammed Moosajee, said at the time.

‘He will be assessed by an ankle and foot specialist in Johannesburg, who will be able to further assess the injury and give us a way forward in terms of the treatment and rehabilitation strategy.’

The 20-year-old Mulder has played seven ODIs since October 2017’s debut. He was named in the Test squad for early 2018’s series against Australia, but did not play a match.

South Africa will meet Pakistan for five ODIs later this month – and three T20Is in February.

They will also be part of the 2019 World Cup in the United Kingdom. England and the Proteas will play the first match of the World Cup, at The Oval in London, on 19 May.

Mulder is in contention for a berth in both competitions.

Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images