Sports Desk: South Africa has confirmed that fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Mangala have been ruled out of the upcoming ODI World Cup to be held in India on September 21. Nortje is struggling with a back problem and last played the second ODI against Australia. However, the fast bowler could bowl only five overs before leaving the field citing back spasms.
Nortje’s recovery from injury did not go as expected, leading to his exclusion from the World Cup squad. This is a big blow to the team as Nortje’s experience, raw speed and familiarity with Indian conditions due to playing in the IPL would have been beneficial for the Proteas. Another fast bowler, Sisanda Magala, also failed to recover from his injuries in time for the World Cup. Magala had a knee injury and made his only appearance in the third ODI against Australia, where he bowled only four overs. His injury has increased the challenges before the South African team.
The Proteas have included Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams as replacements for Nortje and Mangala respectively. Phehlukwayo has played 76 ODI matches for the South African team, whereas Williams played only one ODI in his career. South Africa will begin their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on October 7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
South Africa team for ODI World Cup 2023:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.