South African speedster Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Australia after succumbing to a groin injury.
The Proteas confirmed their squad for the third Test on Saturday, with Nortje the notable omission after he managed only 3.3 overs at Gqeberha.
No replacement was named in their squad, with the hosts likely to look to Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson or all-rounder Corbin Bosch to take up Nortje’s overs.
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Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj could also slot back into the side after he was left out, alongside fellow spinner, Australia’s Nathan Lyon, who was replaced by Scott Boland.
Nortje’s injury blow comes after he held injury fears coming into the second Test, with his bowling load exploding at Durban.
South Africa’s Anrich Nortje bites the towel after his over on day four of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia.Source: AP
After not playing a red ball match for almost four years, the spearhead quick churned out 40 overs in the first Test, taking four wickets across the match.
Skipper Temba Bavuma made the decision to name the hulking seamer, who left the field before he was able to finish his fourth over.
The third and final Test of South Africa and Australia’s three-match series is set to begin at 7:30pm AEDT on October 27 and the Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne