SA vs AUS: Anrich Nortje Suffers Back Injury Ahead Of World Cup, Ruled Out Of Third ODI

Nothing is going right for South Africa at the moment and their hopes of bouncing back in the ongoing ODI series against Australia have taken a huge hit. South Africa will be without their star fast-bowler Anrich Nortje for the crucial third ODI, scheduled to be played on Tuesday (September 12) at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Cricket South Africa confirmed the development on Monday. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CSA wrote that the bowler is suffering from lower back spasms and will miss the third match of the five-ODI series. The fast-bowler left the field after bowling just 5 overs during the second ODI and did not return to bowl.

In those 5 overs, he conceded 58 runs without taking any wickets. Anrich Nortje, however, later came out to bat and scored 10 runs before being bowled by Sean Abbott. A final call on his participation in the remainder of the series will be taken after he undergoes scans on Monday.

“Proteas fast bowler @AnrichNortje02 has been ruled out of the 3rd #Betway ODI against Australia. Nortje left the field after 5 overs due to lower back spasms. He still requires further assessment & will undergo scans,” wrote Cricket South Africa.

?PROTEAS ODI SQUAD UPDATE?

??Proteas fast bowler @AnrichNortje02 has been ruled out of the 3rd #Betway ODI against Australia ?

Nortje left the field after 5 overs due to lower back spasms. He still requires further assessment & will undergo scans.#BePartOfIt #SAvAus pic.twitter.com/noDtFojrDH

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 11, 2023

With the World Cup less than a month away, South Africa are unlikely to take any risk and could make Anrich Nortje sit out the remainder of the series. Anrich Nortje is a key member of the Proteas outfit and their fate in the competition will depend a lot on how he performs in the ODI World Cup.

South Africa eyes first win:

South Africa will be desperate to bounce back and win their first game of the series. South Africa is yet to win a single game against Australia in the ongoing assignment. They suffered a crushing whitewash in the three-match T20I series and their fate has remained the same in ODIs too. Australia won the first game by 3 wickets before inflicting a 123-run defeat in the second ODI. With the series online, the hosts would be desperate to win the third ODI.