Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock miss out as South Africa announce new central contracts

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the new list of centrally contracted players for the forthcoming cricket season. While there are some new additions to the list, there are also some notable absentees.

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee leads the list of new inclusions in South Africa’s central contracts. The right-arm pacer starred for the Proteas in the ODI World Cup last year. Before the World Cup, he had played only two ODIs but went on to justify the team management’s faith in him.

He finished the tournament as South Africa’s highest wicket-taker, claiming 20 wickets, and has now been rewarded with a central contract. Coetzee had made the contract list in November during the World Cup itself but has received a full-year contract for the first time. At present, he is plying his trade for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024).

South Africa’s central contracts list:

Apart from Coetzee, left-arm fast-bowler Nandre Burger has earned his maiden full-year central contract as well. The left-arm pacer made his Test debut against India in December last year and picked up seven wickets in his first match. He is also playing in the IPL at present and is a part of the Rajasthan Royals camp.

Top-order batsman Toni de Zorzi has also received his maiden central contract. Allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo has also been rewarded with a contract after his impressive return to international cricket.

There are also some notable absentees from South Africa’s central contracts list. Star fast-bowler Anrich Nortje has missed out on a central contract. The right-arm pacer has not played a game for South Africa since September last year as a back injury kept him on the sidelines.

Quinton de Kock has also been dropped from the list. The wicketkeeper-batsman was South Africa’s highest run-scorer in the ODI World Cup and announced his retirement from the 50-over format after the tournament. He was already retired from Tests. Other big names to miss out on the latest central contracts are Sisanda Magala, Wayne Parnell, and Keegan Petersen.

South Africa men’s central contracts:

Temba Bavuma, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen.

South Africa women’s central contracts:

Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, and Laura Wolvaardt.