South African fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Sisanda Magala ruled out of ODI World Cup due to injuries
South Africa has been dealt with a major blow as fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. Nortje last played in the second ODI of the recently concluded ODI series against Australia which the Proteas won 3-2 after losing the first two matches. He bowled five overs in the match before going off the field with a back spasm and was ruled out of the next three matches.
A Major Blow
The right-arm pacer has played 22 ODIs for South Africa and picked up 36 wickets at an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 27.94. Anrich, who also missed the 2019 World Cup with a fractured thumb, has a wealth of experience in Indian conditions. He is expected to be replaced by 22-year-old Gerald Coetzee.
The fast bowler has been impressive since making his international debut earlier this year. He impressed everyone with his pace in the ODI series against Australia and played his part to perfection in the absence of Anrich Nortje.
Magala Ruled Out
In another major blow to the Proteas fast bowler Sisanda Magala was also ruled out of the World Cup. Magala sustained an injury in the third game of the ODI series against Australia which was the only game he featured in. Magala went off the field after bowling only four overs conceding 46 runs and picking up the wicket of Travis Head.
He was replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo as a like-for-like replacement. The all-rounder played in the second and the fifth match and scored 39 runs in the two matches including a crucial knock of 38 runs which propelled South Africa’s score past 300 in the final game of the series A post on social media platform X regarding Anrich Nortje and Magala’s injury read “White-ball head coach Rob Walter today confirmed that Anrich Nortje & Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the @cricketworldcup in India.”
South Africa’s updated ODI World Cup 2023 squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klassen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
