Blow for Proteas after back injury rules Anrich Nortje out of ICC Champions Trophy

The paceman, who has not played any international cricket the entire home summer, has now suffered a back injury with scans revealing he will be out for an extended period.

Nortje was due play in the white-ball series at home against Pakistan but broke his toe in training and was subsequently ruled out.

A replacement for the fast bowler has not been named as yet but Gerald Coetzee seems the likely candidate to be called up after making his return from a groin issue for the Joburg Super Kings in the ongoing SA20.

Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter could opt to include another spinner in the squad, with George Linde coming into the frame to complement Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi who are the slow-bowlers selected.

Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickleton will be playing in their first senior ICC event while the rest of the squad is similar to the one that reached semifinals of the 2023 50-over World Cup in India.

Proteas squad for ICC Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen

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