Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala will undergo fitness tests this week to determine whether they are fit to play in the ODI World Cup. They were selected in South Africa’s first 15-man squad for the tournament, but played in only one match each of the five ODI series against Australia before sustaining hip and left knee injuries respectively. A final decision to participate will be made before South Africa departs for India on September 23, with early indications that there is a risk for both countries not to travel.
“We’re always looking at the rankings of both players,” Rob Walter, South Africa’s white ball coach, said after his team’s 3-2 win over Australia. “The fact that they didn’t play today, with a week to go before they get on the plane for the World Cup, is obviously a cause for concern. “We would have liked them to have played. There are complications with going there, because in the case of the World Cup, a player would have to provide a medical reason to be substituted. ”
If Nortje’s absence is confirmed, it will be a big blow for South Africa as he is their fastest bowler and has vast experience in India, having played for Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Nortje played in the Major League Cricket Tournament in the United States during the South African winter and was rested for the T20I against Australia. He was then left out of his first ODI but played in the second ODI. He could only bowl five overs before leaving the field. He missed the third game after being sent for tests and was subsequently ruled out of the series, but was scheduled to start bowling again this weekend with the coaching staff.
Magara’s problem also seems to be serious. He has not played cricket since the webbing in his hand broke during the IPL in early April, and then in a T20I against Australia due to infrapatellar tendinopathy (pain in the tendon that connects the patella to the shin bone). was excluded from. He appeared in the third ODI against Australia and bowled four overs, but has since felt discomfort in his knee again.
If either Nortje or Magala are ruled out of the World Cup, South Africa are likely to call up Andile Phelkwayo. He is making a comeback despite losing his international contract earlier this year.
Phehlukwayo played in the second and fifth ODIs against Australia. Although he didn’t make much of an impression in his first game, he finished the inning strong, scoring 38 runs off 19 pitches in the final game of the series, and then went on to record 1 hit in 44 at bats.
“Andile is one of several players who is part of a broader team, and today he showed what we’ve seen in terms of his ability, especially with the bat,” Walter said. “Looking at that knock, you can say it affected the game. A total of 270 and a total of 315 look different, but he was a big role player in that respect. He also took some important wickets.” I am very happy that Andile was able to deliver that performance today. ”
The challenge for South Africa is what to do if: both Nortje and Magala were ruled out of the World Cup, especially after Kagiso Rabada felt discomfort in his ankle and had to miss the final ODI. There are other details to backup. Wayne Parnell is not in the World Cup squad, but is recovering from an elbow injury after feeling pain in his shoulder and does not play for his domestic team, Western Province, but ESPNcricinfo reports that he will play from both sides. I understand that he is recovering well. Another candidate is Lizard Williams, who played in the T20I series but has only one ODI cap and doesn’t have Nortje’s pace or Magala’s reputation for death bowling. “The Lizards are part of the T20 group and that’s all there is to it,” Walter said.
Walter also mentioned left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuyn, who would change the composition of South Africa’s squad, which relies heavily on fast bowlers.
