Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala to undergo fitness tests to prove their availability for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala played only one game each in five-match ODI series against Australia at home.

With not much time left before the start of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, every participating team is busy working on their final preparations for the mega event. But with so much cricket playing around, some teams have suffered tricky situations where some of their key players have been injured or are not fully fit. South Africa, who recently won the five-match ODI series 3-2 against Australia, also have the same issue.

The Proteas have shown a dramatic comeback after losing the T20I series 3-0 and trailing 2-0 in the ODIs. They won the last three ODI matches to win the ODI series 3-2. However, two of their main pacers, Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala, are not completely fit and will have to undergo a fitness test to be available for the upcoming World Cup in India.

Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala to undergo fitness test ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Both Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala were named in South Africa's 15-member squad for the upcoming event. But they only played one game in the recently concluded ODI series due to their respective injuries. The final date to make a change in the World Cup squad is September 28, and the management is keen to determine their fitness. South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter talked about the injuries for both pacers after 3-2 ODI series win over Australia.

He said, "We are continually taking stock as to where both of those players are. The fact that they weren't playing today with a week to go before we board the plane for the World Cup is obviously a cause for concern. We would have wanted them out there. There are complications around taking players that are injured into a World Cup because then you have to provide a medical reason to be swapped out."

Notably, Nortje's exclusion will be a big blow for the Proteas, as he is their quickest bowler at the moment and has good experience of playing in India during the IPL. Nortje played the second ODI but bowled only five overs, while Magala played the third ODI and could only bowl four overs. However, if one of these pacers gets ruled out, then all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo is in line. However, if both pacers get ruled out, then South Africa will be in big trouble, as other pacers like Kagiso Rabada also have some minor fitness issues.