Injury Woes: Anrich Nortje’s Absence from Champions Trophy and SA20 Explained
CricketPanditAnrich Nortje will continue to be absent from the game after being ruled out of the Champions Trophy. On Wednesday, CSA announced that the fast bowler would miss the tournament and the remainder of the SA20 due to a back injury.
A statement indicated that Nortje “underwent scans on Monday afternoon which revealed the extent of the injury. He is not expected to recover in time” for the Champions Trophy. South Africa’s opening match is against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 21.
Nortje’s selection was a key highlight during South Africa’s squad announcement on Monday. He hasn’t participated in international cricket since June of last year, and his last appearance on the field was on December 2 in the Abu Dhabi T10.
He chose to skip playing Tests in the 2024/25 season to focus on strengthening his frequently injured body for the greater demands of the longest format, while also concentrating on advancing his franchise career.
Nortje was included in South Africa’s white-ball series against Pakistan last month, but he suffered a broken toe from a David Miller yorker while batting in the nets.
This latest setback adds to a long list of challenges that have affected Nortje. Despite being one of the fastest and most respected bowlers in the sport, he has yet to participate in an ODI World Cup—missing the 2019 edition due to a broken thumb and the 2023 tournament because of a suspected stress fracture.
The announcement stated that Nortje’s replacement would be named “in due course,” but Gerald Coetzee appears to be the frontrunner for the call-up. When the squad was announced, coach Rob Walter remarked: “Gerald Coetzee performed exceptionally well in the 2023 World Cup, but it was a choice between him and Anrich Nortje. Both offer high pace. Anrich has more experience and attributes that will benefit us in Pakistan. Gerald has done nothing wrong to be left out.”
It remains uncertain whether Nortje will be fit to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s IPL.
