NewKerala.com

Key Points

Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury, which is a significant setback for the South African cricket team. The 31-year-old pacer, known for his impressive bowling variations, has a history of back-related injuries, having missed the 2023 World Cup as well. Cricket South Africa will be announcing a replacement for Nortje in the coming days, hoping to maintain the team's competitive edge. Despite this blow, the Proteas will still field a strong squad that reached the semi-finals in the previous World Cup.

Key Points: Nortje Ruled Out of Champions Trophy 2025

  • Back injury forces Nortje's withdrawal from Champions Trophy
  • Replacement player to be announced by Cricket South Africa
  • Missed 2023 World Cup due to similar injury
  • Significant impact on Proteas' bowling strategy
2 min read

Set back for South Africa as Nortje ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025

South African pacer Anrich Nortje sidelined with back injury, missing crucial ICC tournament and impacting Proteas' bowling lineup.

"His steady variation, bounce, and pace have been pivotal in South Africa's pace unit - Article Description"

Cape Town, Jan 15

South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the remainder of the SA20 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury. Nortje, who plays for Pretoria Capitals, got injured recently and underwent scans and the extent of the injury was revealed this week.

Nortje's injury is a major blow to South Africa's hopes for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 as Nortje is not in line to recover ahead of the 50-over tournament, which the Proteas will begin on February 21 against Afghanistan in Karachi, Pakistan.

The 31-year-old Nortje, who was initially named to the Champions Trophy squad, underwent scans on Monday afternoon which revealed the extent of the injury. With there being not much chance of him recovering in time for the Champions Trophy, Cricket South Africa finally took the call on Wednesday to withdraw him from the event.

His replacement will be announced in due course, the CSA informed in a statement on Wednesday.

Nortje also missed South Africa's previous participation in an ICC event - the Cricket World Cup in 2023 in India - due to a stress fracture in his back. The 31-year-old's steady variation, bounce, and pace have been pivotal in South Africa's pace unit in the white-ball format, proven by his 36 wickets in 22 ODIs and 53 wickets in 42 T20Is. The right-arm speedster's last outing in the ODI format came over 15 months ago, in the Proteas' second ODI against Australia in Bloemfontein.

South Africa have retained their core group of players that made it to the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023, with 10 of their 15 participating members named for the Champions Trophy as well.

- IANS

Share this article:

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50