Ahead of the ICC 2023 World Cup South Africa has been hit with a couple of injuries to crucial players in the side. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje and all-rounder Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the show-piece event on Thursday.
Nortje has been suffering from a back issue and had to miss the latter part of the five-match ODI series against Australia which concluded recently with the hosts’ proteas winning 3-2. While Magala has injured his knee.
Seamer Lizaad Williams who has played just one ODI and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo have been added to the squad as a replacement for the duo. “This provides an opportunity for Andile and Lizaad on the global stage,” coach Rob Walter said in a Cricket South Africa media release.
South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo REUTERS
“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,” Rob added.
South Africa will kick off their campaign against Sri Lanka on October 7. The former will be looking to improve their performance from 2019 where they had an abysmal campaign by finishing 7th in a 10-team tournament. With two of their main bowling weapons injured skipper Temba Bavuma needs to come up with innovative ways of using his resources. South Africa has appeared in four World Cup semi-finals but is yet to lift the trophy.
Revised South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi,
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