Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje set to miss third ODI against Australia

By SABC Sport
11th September 2023

South Africa seamer Anrich Nortje will miss the third ODI of the five-match series against Australia after sustaining spasms in his lower back in the second match.

The 29-year-old is set to undergo scans in Johannesburg today, September 11, with Cricket South Africa confirming that he will miss the third ODI and are yet to confirm if he will return for the rest of the series.

Nortje only bowled an expensive five overs in the second ODI (0/58) before leaving the field almost immediately at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. However, he returned to the crease to bat during the failed second-innings chase, scoring 10 off 13 balls before being bowled by Sean Abbott as South Africa lost by 123 runs.

The injury is another blow to the Proteas who are currently 2-0 down in the five-match series and will need to win the next ODI at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

South Africa had left out Nortje for the first ODI against the Aussies, opting to start with Gerald Coetzee, who is likely to return for the next match to replace the injured paceman.

The Proteas, who have struggled with the ball this season, will be hoping 59th ranked bowler's injury is not too serious ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India this October.

Nortje currently has 36 wickets for his country after 22 ODI matches at an economy rate of 5.85 and will also be hoping to return to full fitness for the tournament where he is set to be one of only a few seamers who can breach the 150km/h speed with the ball in hand.

South Africa will take on Australia on Tuesday in the third ODI and you can follow all the action live on the SABC Sport score centre.