CAPE TOWN, Sep 15: South Africa’s injury woes continue to mount up ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with a pair of experienced players ruled out of the fourth ODI against Australia at Centurion.
The back injury that caused Anrich Nortje to miss the third match of that series has not recovered in time and the pace spearhead will miss the final two matches against the Aussies.
The loss of Nortje has been further compounded with news that In-form skipper Temba Bavuma will also miss the penultimate clash of the five-game series with a right adductor strain.
While the news on Nortje is not ideal for South Africa just weeks out from their opening match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka in Delhi on October 7, the Proteas expect the tall quick to resume bowling over the weekend, an ICC report said.
“Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia due to a lower back injury,” Cricket South Africa said via a statement.
“The 29-year-old underwent scans and consulted with a specialist this week, and will start bowling again this weekend under the supervision of the Proteas medical team. A further update will be provided in due course.”
The absence of Bavuma for the fourth ODI is considered less serious, with the Proteas revealing the issue troubling their skipper was only minor.
“ODI captain Temba Bavuma is unavailable for selection for the fourth ODI at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Friday,” the statement continued.
“Bavuma has a right adductor strain and as a precautionary measure, he has been ruled out of the match,” it added. Aiden Markram will lead South Africa in the fourth ODI in the absence of Bavuma.
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