South Africa pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. The marquee event will take place between 5th October to 19th November in India.
South Africa have named Lizaad Williams and Andile Phehlukwayo as replacements for these injured players. Norje, could have been a lethal option for South Africa as they aim to win their first ODI World Cup title. However, the 29-year-old will not make the trip to India due to a back injury.
Nortje recently played in the second ODI in the five-match series against Australia at home. He bowled five overs before walking off citing back spasm. He did not return to bowl but came out to bat in the second innings and scored 10 runs off 13 balls. Nortje had ruled out of the remainder of the series as the Proteas did not want to risk him ahead of the ODI World Cup.
Nortje’s ability to bowl at 150kph and above makes him a deadly weapon. Especially with Kagiso Rabada blowing hot and cold in recent times. The right-arm pacer has played 22 ODIs for South Africa. In those matches he picked up 36 wickets at an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 27.94.
However, the 22-year-old Gerald Coetzee in their squad, who has shown the potential to hit speeds in excess of 145 kph on a regular basis. He remains one of their options to fill Nortje’s void.
Meanwhile, Magala also suffered a knee injury during the third ODI in the series against Australia. Magala’s only appearance in the series was in the third ODI in Potchefstroom. The Proteas brought in Andile Phehlukwayo as a like-for-like replacement for Magala.
South Africa updated ODI World Cup squad:
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
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