In what can be termed as a big blow to South Africa's World Cup quest, fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled of the tournament owing to a hand injury.
Nortje, 25, fractured his right thumb during a practice session with the team in Port Elizabeth on Monday and team doctor Mohammed Moosajee has confirmed that it will take him at least six to eight weeks to recover from the injury. South Africa, on their part, have called all-rounder Chris Morris as a replacement.
Speaking about the extent of his injury, Moosajee voiced his disappointment and said, "Anrich sustained a fracture to his right thumb during a net session in Port Elizabeth on Monday. He immediately consulted a hand surgeon and underwent surgery to stabilise the joint and will, unfortunately, be sidelined for up to eight weeks. This makes him unavailable for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
"It is an unfortunate and freakish injury, especially because he had made a successful recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained during the series against Sri Lanka. He has had a few injury setbacks in the last year but knowing Anrich's character, he will be motivated to come back stronger. We wish him a speedy recovery," Moosajee said on Tuesday (May 7).
Nortje’s unavailability has added further pressure to an already bleak South African pace bowling contingent. The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi are nursing their respective injuries. The former, who played for team Delhi in the ongoing Indian T20 League, complained of struggling with a back problem and was called back immediately for the precautionary measure.
Steyn, on the other hand, could only play two games for team Bengaluru in the same tournament before returning home owing to a shoulder injury. Ngidi, on his part, was ruled out of the tournament due to a side strain even before it began. He, however, is showing positive signs and is back in training with the team.
Nortje, who was initially a part of team Kolkata for the Indian T20 League 2019, faced a similar fate due to a shoulder problem.
Meanwhile, Chris Morris is playing for team Delhi in the ongoing T20 extravaganza and has notched 13 wickets in nine games.
"Chris is our next best option with the ball," said selection convener Linda Zondi. "He has the pace and death-bowling skills and also gives us depth as a deadly finisher with the bat. We have had concerns around his injuries and workload capabilities, but this is an opportunity for him to make a mark on the biggest stage."
