South Africa pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala will have to undergo fitness tests later for determining their availability for the upcoming Men’s ODI World Cup, scheduled to begin in India from October 5.
Both Nortje and Magala were earlier named in South Africa’s initial 15-member squad for the showpiece event however after the announcement, they both have played just one game each in South Africa’s recent 3-2 ODI series win over Australia.
While Nortje has a lower-back injury, Magala is down with a left-knee injury and a report in ESPNCricinfo said that a final call on their inclusion will be taken before the Proteas fly for India on September 23. As of now, reports suggests that both the pacers might miss the upcoming ODI World Cup.
“We are continually taking stock as to where both of those players are. The fact that they weren’t playing today with a week to go before we board the plane for the World Cup is obviously a cause for concern. We would have wanted them out there. There are complications around taking players that are injured into a World Cup because then you have to provide a medical reason to be swapped out,” said head coach Rob Walter.
South Africa are most likely to induct pace all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo if anyone of Nortje or Magala misses out the ODI World Cup.
In the final ODI against Australia, Phehlukwayo smashed 38 runs off just 19 balls.
“Andile is one of a couple of guys who are part of a broader squad and today he showed us, especially with the bat, what we have seen in terms of his capability. That knock, you can look at it, and say it was match influencing. A total of 270 looks different to a total of 315 and he was a massive role-player in that. He took an important wicket with the ball as well. I am very happy that Andile was able to deliver that performance in the match,” added Walter.
South Africa will begin their campaign at the 2023 World Cup against 1996 champions Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on October 7.