Agencies
As the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup draws near, South Africa’s crucial pace duo set to face a fitness test to ascertain their readiness for the marquee event.
The participation of pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala in the World Cup remains uncertain, as they are yet to demonstrate their fitness ahead of South Africa’s departure for India on 23 September.
Both the players were named in South Africa’s 15-member squad for the blockbuster event, however, since then, they both featured in only one out of the five home ODIs against Australia – a series that the hosts won by a 3-2 margin.
Nortje featured in the second ODI and bowled only five overs before walking off the field due to back spams. He returned to the field in the second innings, scoring 10 runs with the bat while batting at No. 10 during the run chase. His back injury subsequently ruled him out for the remainder of the series.
South Africa’s initial World Cup squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen
