South Africa dealt a massive blow as pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the upcoming Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to be played in India from October 5.
The duo will be missing the showpiece event due to their respective injuries, Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed on Thursday.
The CSA named Their all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and seam bowler Lizaad Williams as the duo’s replcement in the 15-member squad.
Nortje suffered lower back spasms during the second ODI against Australia earlier this month. He was able to bowl just five overs before leaving the field.
The CSA added Nortje underwent specialist assessments and scans, which have suspected low back (lumbar) stress fracture and will be under the care of a specialist team on the next steps in his recovery.
On Magala, the CSA said he was given every opportunity for a full recovery and participation. “Ultimately it was decided that the risk associated with his inclusion in the squad outweighed his obvious value to the team,” it added.
Earlier, Nortje had also missed the 2019 ODI World Cup in England due to a fractured right thumb.
“It’s hugely disappointing for Anrich and Sisanda to be missing out on the 50-over World Cup. Both are quality players that add immense value to the Proteas. We sympathize in their omission and will continue to provide all the necessary support as they work towards their return to competitive action. This provides an opportunity for Andile and Lizaad on the global stage. Both players have been part of our winter programs as well as having represented South Africa in the recent white-ball tour against Australia. They offer great skill sets and we’re excited to have them complete the 15-player squad for this year’s World Cup,” said head coach Rob Walter.
South Africa will fly for India on Saturday (September 23) to prepare for the showpiece event and have two warm-up matches against Afghanistan and New Zealand on September 29 and October 2 in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Proteas will begin their ODI World Cup campaign against 1996 champions Sri Lanka at the historic Arun Jaitley Stadium in the national capital on October 7.
South Africa WC squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen and Lizaad Williams