Agency :
South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match Test series against India with a “persistent injury,” the Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed on Twitter. No replacement has been named for what now remains a 20-member strong Test squad.
Nortje, 28, has been South Africa’s premier fast bowler across formats in recent times and has stepped up to cover for Kagiso Rabada, who’s in turn blown hot and cold lately. Nortje has played five of his 12 Tests this year and last represented his country in the format in the West Indies earlier this year in June. He picked 8 wickets across two Test matches on the tour and starred in a 2-0 series win for the visitors.
Nortje’s absence against India could pave an international comeback for Duanne Olivier who last played a Test for South Africa in 2019. Olivier, with 10 Test caps, returned to South Africa earlier this year after a Kolpak stint and has been among the wickets this season. In his four first-class matches in Four-Day Franchise series, Olivier has bagged 28 wickets at an average of 11.14, returning best match figures of 9 for 95.
Revised Squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.
