Ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, the injury concerns continue to mount over South Africa’s pace attack. On Tuesday, Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the tournament following a hand injury and Chris Morris has been named as his replacement.
The 25-year-old Anrich Nortje, who had made his one-day international debut in March this year against Sri Lanka had fractured his right thumb while practicing in the nets, will need six to eight weeks to make a full recovery.
Nortje impressed Cricket South Africa by picking up 8 wickets from four games at an average of 18.75 against Sri Lanka.
“Anrich sustained a fracture to his right thumb during a net session in Port Elizabeth on Monday. He immediately consulted a hand surgeon and underwent surgery to stabilise the joint and will unfortunately be side-lined for up to eight weeks. This makes him unavailable for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup,” Proteas team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said.
He continued, “It is an unfortunate and freakish injury, especially because he had made a successful recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained during the series against Sri Lanka. He has had a few injury setbacks in the last year but knowing Anrich’s character, he will be motivated to come back stronger. We wish him a speedy recovery.”
All-rounder Chris Morris who last played an ODI in February 2018 and is currently a part of the Delhi Capitals side in the Indian Premier League, for whom he has picked up 13 wickets this season, has been named in the squad as Nortje’s replacement.
Morris was also a part of South Africa’s T20I squad in the Sri Lanka series at home in March.
“Chris has always been in our plans and is our next best option with the ball. He has the pace and death-bowling skills which will be vital in the UK, and also gives us that depth as a deadly finisher with the bat,” explained Cricket South Africa (CSA) National Selection Panel convener, Linda Zondi.
The Proteas are already have question marks surrounding the fitness of Dale Steyn (shoulder), Kagiso Rabada (back) and Lungi Ngidi (side strain) ahead of their first World Cup match against England on 30 May.
South Africa CWC 2019 squad: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen, Chris Morris.
