This week, Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala will go
through fitness evaluations to see if they can participate in the ODI World
Cup. They were included in South Africa’s initial 15-person squad for the
competition, but they only participated in one game each of the five ODIs
against Australia before getting hurt in the lower back and left knee,
respectively. Before South Africa departs for India on September 23, a final
decision regarding their inclusion will be made, but early indications indicate
that they both run the risk of missing the trip.
“We are continually taking stock as to where both
of those players are,” Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach said
following the team’s 3-2 series win over Australia. “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.”
If Nortje’s absence is confirmed, it will be a huge
setback for South Africa because he is their fastest bowler and has extensive
experience playing for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, which is played in India.
Nortje was rested for the T20Is against Australia after participating in the
Major League Cricket competition in the USA over the South African winter. The
first ODI was eventually abandoned, but he participated in the second. Only
five overs were bowled before he had to leave the pitch. He was taken for scans
after the third game and was later declared out of the series, but he was
scheduled to start bowling again this weekend with the coaching staff.
Also serious seems to be Magala’s problem.
Infrapatellar tendinopathy, which causes pain in the tendon that joins the
kneecap to the shin bone, forced him to withdraw from the T20Is against
Australia. He had not played any cricket since tearing the webbing in his hand
at the IPL in early April. He participated in the third one-day international
against Australia, bowling four overs, and has since once more felt knee pain.
South Africa is expected to call up Andile Phehlukwayo
in the event that either Nortje or Magala are ruled out of the World Cup. He
has returned despite having lost his national contract earlier this year.