Cricket South Africa suffered a major blow as star fast bowler Enrich Nortje has been ruled out of the T20I series against Pakistan as well as the three-match ODI series that followed.
The 31-year-old speedster missed the opening T20I after injuring his left big toe during training. Scans later confirmed the fracture, which ruled him out for the remainder of the series.
He has been replaced by all-rounder Diane Gilliam.
The 27-year-old, who set an impressive T20 record with 46 wickets in 60 matches, was eager to make his mark at the international level.
Nortje’s injury came at a turning point. The fast bowler has not represented South Africa since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in June, where he was the team’s standout performer after taking 15 wickets.
Recently, he also opted out of a national contract to manage his workload, further straining the Proteas’ bowling resources.
South Africa’s injury woes extended beyond Nortje, with pacer Gerald Coetzee (groin), Nandre Berger (stress fracture in lower back), and Lungi Ngidi (hip) all ruled out. Also, all-rounder Wayne Mulder also fractured his finger during the first Test against Sri Lanka.
After winning the first match of the series in Durban by 11 runs, the hosts will face Pakistan in the second T20I match at Centurion tomorrow.
South Africa scored 183 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs while Pakistan were restricted to 172/8 in reply.
A win for the Proteas would clinch the series, while a win for Pakistan would level it, with the third and final match to be played in Johannesburg on 14 December.