S Africa’s Nortje ruled out of white ball series vs Pakistan

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s fast bowler Anrich Nortje’s injury woes continued as he was on Thursday ruled out of the remainder of the Twenty20 series and three One-Day Internationals against Pakistan as they named a strong squad for the fixtures in the 50-over format.

Nortje was sidelined from September 2023 for nine months after suffering a stress fracture, although he recovered to play in the T20 World Cup where South Africa reached the final in June.

He has now suffered a toe injury that will leave him sidelined for the second and third T20 matches and the entire ODI series, which is an important warm-up for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.

Scans on Wednesday revealed a fracture and Nortje will now consult doctors to determine what treatment is needed, a Cricket South Africa statement said. Uncapped all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem has been named as replacement for the remaining two T20 fixtures in Pretoria on Friday and at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Having rested several of their regular players for the shortest format series against Pakistan, the big guns are back for the ODI games. Batters Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs and Aiden Markram make a return along with all-rounder Marco Jansen, seamer Kagiso Rabada and left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. South Africa have also included 18-year-old firebrand fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, who gets a maiden 50-over call-up. The series begins in Paarl on Tuesday.