Anrich Nortje delivers © Getty Images
South Africa’s World Cup plans have been dealt a blow after fast bowler Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the tournament because of a fractured thumb. Chris Morris has been called up as his replacement.
Having overcome ankle and shoulder injuries over the course of the summer, Nortje made his international debut in March this year and subsequently won selection in South Africa’s World Cup squad. Nortje, however, fractured his right thumb while practising in the nets, and it has now been confirmed that he would need six to eight weeks to make a full recovery.
Allrounder Morris, 32, has been called up to replace Nortje in the 15-man squad, with South Africa’s opening game against England just over three weeks away. Morris has not played an ODI in more than a year, but was part of the T20I squad that battered Sri Lanka at home in March. Morris is currently in action with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, for whom he has taken 13 wickets in nine games this season.
Squad (updated): Faf du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Quinton de Kock (wk), Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Hashim Amla, Tabraiz Shamsi
More to follow…
Liam Brickhill is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo