ODI World Cup 2023: Nortje and Mangala misses Out
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Due to back and knee ailments, respectively, South African pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala will not be participating in the 2018 ODI World Cup, which will start in India on October 5. Lizaad Williams and Andile Phehlukwayo have been appointed as stand-ins by South Africa.
As South Africa seeks to win their first World Cup championship, Nortje, who is maybe the fastest bowler in cricket right now, might have been a dangerous alternative. However, the 29-year-old will not travel to India owing to a back ailment.
In the recent five-match series against Australia at home, Nortje participated in the second ODI. Before leaving after bowling five overs, he claimed a back spasm. In the second innings, he came out to bat rather than bowl again and scored 10 runs off of 13 balls. The Proteas decided not to take a chance on Nortje before the World Cup, therefore he was out for the remainder of the series. Nortje was referred to as the unknown in South Africa’s team.
Given that Kagiso Rabada has been blowing hot and cold lately, Nortje’s ability to bowl at 150kph and higher makes him a formidable weapon. In 22 one-day internationals for South Africa, the right-arm bowler has taken 36 wickets at an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 27.94.
However, one of their alternatives to fill Nortje’s vacuum is the 22-year-old Gerald Coetzee in their squad, who has demonstrated the ability to regularly reach speeds in excess of 145 kph throughout his brief international career. Williams led South Africa in wickets taken during the home T20I series against Australia, which they lost 0-3.
Read More: 2023 ODI World Cup: Changes in Indian Squad from 2019 World Cup
Given that Kagiso Rabada has been blowing hot and cold lately, Nortje’s ability to bowl at 150kph and higher makes him a formidable weapon. In 22 one-day internationals for South Africa, the right-arm bowler has taken 36 wickets at an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 27.94.
However, one of their alternatives to fill Nortje’s vacuum is the 22-year-old Gerald Coetzee in their squad, who has demonstrated the ability to regularly reach speeds in excess of 145 kph throughout his brief international career. Williams led South Africa in wickets taken during the home T20I series against Australia, which they lost 0-3.
Magala also had a knee injury during the third One-Day International in the series with Australia. He only played one game in the series, the third ODI in Potchefstroom, where he could only bowl four overs and gave up 46 runs for Travis Head’s wicket. Magala was replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo by the Proteas on a like-for-like basis.
Phehlukwayo participated in the second and fifth ODIs of the five-match Australia series played at home. In total, he scored 39 runs and took two wickets. His unbeaten 38 of 19 helped South Africa surpass 300 in the decisive game, which they ultimately won by 122 runs to win 3-2 in spectacular fashion after falling behind early on by 0-2 runs.
The absence of Anrich and Sisanda from the 50-over World Cup is extremely unfortunate, according to South Africa’s white-ball head coach Rob Walter. Both are excellent players who really benefit the Proteas. We understand their omission and will continue to offer all the assistance required as they strive to resume competitive play.
“This gives Andile and Lizaad a chance to compete on a worldwide scale. Both athletes participated in our winter programs and recently traveled with South Africa on a white-ball tour of Australia. We’re thrilled to have them round out the 15-player World Cup roster since they provide fantastic skill sets.
Squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Rassie van der Dussen.
