South African speedster Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the forthcoming Test series at home against India because of a “persistent” injury to his hip. The 28-year-old will not take any part in South Africa’s quest to regain the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy, starting Boxing Day (December 26) in Centurion.
Nortje had been battling the hip issue from the end of the men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE in October-November and hasn’t bowled at all since then. The pacer is in a tussle with an aggravated niggle. Recognising that Nortje hasn’t had sufficient preparations for the three-Test series, Cricket South Africa and selectors have deemed it fit to rule him out of action for the next three weeks.
The news on Nortje was confirmed on December 21, without any replacement called in.
CSA’s chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra has informed that Nortje will now undergo “rehabilitation and is aiming to be ready for the ODIs against India in mid-January”, stated a report in ESPNcricinfo.
Nortje’s untimely injury is a massive blow to South Africa. The pacer has taken 47 wickets in his 12-Test-long career at an average of 28.10. This year, the average stands at just 20.76 with 25 scalps. Nortje was in terrific form and rhythm during the UAE leg of IPL 2021 and the T20 World Cup in the Middle East. His new-ball pairing with Kagiso Rabada was considered a major threat for the Indians.
With seven pace options available in the squad, the selectors have opted not to call up any replacement for Nortje. But his absence will mean extra pressure on Rabada and comeback man Duanne Olivier to deliver the goods. Lungi Ngidi or uncapped left-arm pacer Marco Jansen could be brought in as the third seamer, a role for which uncapped Glenton Stuurman, Sisanda Magala and one-Test-old Beuran Hendricks will also be part of the discussions.
The second and third Test of the India series will be played in Johannesburg (January 3-7) and Cape Town (January 11-15). The ODI leg of the series, for which Nortje will hope to be fit, will be played in Paarl and Cape Town from January 19 to 23.
