South Africa suffered a huge jolt ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023 as fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. Their first game of the tournament is against Sri Lanka on October 7.
South Africa leaves for India on September 23 and play their warm-up games against Afghanistan on September 29 and New Zealand on October 2.
Express-pacer Nortje has sustained a suspected lumbar (lower back) stress fracture. He underwent scans and tests after the second ODI against Australia, after complaints of lower-back spasms. He is South Africa’s quickest bowler and thanks to his IPL sojourns, has extensive experience of playing in India.
Sisanda Magala has complained of a knee niggle in the recent ODI series against Australia and has been left out of the World Cup squad as a precautionary measure.
"It's hugely disappointing for Anrich and Sisanda to be missing out on the 50-over World Cup. We sympathize in their omission and will continue to provide all the necessary support as they work towards their return to competitive action,” South Africa coach Rob Walter was quoted by Cricbuzz.
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The selection committee has named Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams as replacements in the South Africa 15-man World Cup 2023 squad.
Phehlukwayo played in the second and fifth ODIs against Australia. While he did not make much of an impression in the first game, he scored 38 off 19 balls to finish the innings strongly in the series finale and then took 1 for 44. Williams played three of the five matches, taking 3 for 44, 1 for 17, and 0 for 24.
"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,” the coach added.
South Africa's ODI World Cup squad:
Temba Bavuma (capt), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams
