ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Two South African fast bowlers ruled out of the tournament

Massive blow for South Africa ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Just a few weeks before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, South Africa have suffered two major setbacks in their pace bowling attack. Two of their star pacers, Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. Anrich Nortje is out due to a lower back injury while Sisanda Magala will be missing out on the mega event due to a knee injury. 

Nortje to miss World Cup again!

This is for the second time that Anrich Nortje will be missing out on the ICC Cricket World Cup. In 2019, Nortje was ruled out due to a fracture in his thumb. Now again he is ruled out with a lower back injury. Nortje played only one game against Australia in the recently concluded five-match ODI series. This will be a big setback for the South African team and their plans in India. 

Anrich Nortje has a huge experience of bowling in the Indian pitches. Nortje is part of the Delhi Capitals and has a huge experience of 40 IPL matches that would have come in handy for the Proteas while they search for their first-ever World Cup title. Lizard Williams will replace Anrich Nortje in the South African squad for the mega event that is already announced. 

Sisanda Magala also ruled out

Along with Williams, all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo will also come in to replace 32-year-old pace bowler Sisanda Magala. Right-arm pace is currently struggling with a knee injury that ruled him out of the tournament. Magala was part of the 3rd ODI against Australia. Phehlukwayo was also part of the series and played in two ODI games. In the final game, he played a decent knock of 38 runs and picked up a wicket. 

South Africa bank on their pace attack as they already have Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee, and Marco Jansen in their World Cup travelling squad. They are taking 6 pacers along for the tournament. South Africa will be playing their opening World Cup game against Sri Lanka at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi on 7th October.