Delhi Capitals and South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje will miss the World Cup after his recurrent back issues resurfaced in the Australia series.
This news, along with the injury of Sisanda Magala, will be particularly disheartening to Proteas fans as their team was gaining momentum ahead of the World Cup.
How big a miss will Nortje be for South Africa in the World Cup?
In his arsenal, Nortje has the most potent weapon in the game: searing pace. He can blaze through batting lineups in the blink of an eye, and the great Dale Steyn is a fan. He has already picked up 36 wickets in 22 ODIs at a sublime strike rate of 27.9
While South Africa have a plethora of fast bowling options including Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee, there isn’t anyone with the 29-year-old's blistering blend of devastating pace and lethal accuracy. He will be a big miss for the Proteas.
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Who replaces Nortje and Magala in South Africa's World Cup squad?
Lizaad Williams has been called up to replace Nortje and Andile Phehlukwayo is the man to profit from Magala's misfortune. The pace-bowling all-rounder staked his claim by smashing a 19-ball 38 and taking a wicket.
South Africa may be well-stocked in this department but Nortje is one of the quickest bowlers in the world and will be very difficult to replace.
South Africa squad for World Cup 2023: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Lizaad Williams, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
