Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the ODI World Cup 2023 with injuries

South Africa pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala are set to miss the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to begin in India on October 5, for injuries. Norje, one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket at the moment, could have been a lethal option for South Africa as they aim to win their first World Cup title. However, the 29-year-old will not make the trip to India due to a back injury.

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Nortje recently played in the second ODI in the five-match series against Australia at home. He bowled five overs before walking off the field. He did not return to bowl but came out to bat in the second innings and scored 10 runs off 13 balls. Nortje will not be able to play the remainder of the series as the Proteas did not want to risk him ahead of the World Cup. Nortje was named in South Africa's 15-member squad for the showpiece event.

His ability to bowl at 150kph and above makes him a dangerous weapon, especially with Kagiso Rabada bowling hot and cold in recent times. The right-arm pacer has played 22 ODIs for South Africa and picked up 36 wickets at an average of 27.28 and a strike rate of 27.94. Replacing a pacer of his class will not be easy for Temba Bavuma's men. However, the 22-year-old Gerald Coetzee has shown the potential to hit speeds in excess of 145 kph on a regular basis during his young international career and remains one of their options to fill Nortje's space.

ODI World Cup 2023: Sissanda Magala's injury

Magala also suffered a knee injury during the third ODI in the series against Australia. It was Magala's only appearance in the series and he could bowl only four overs in the match. The 32-year-old is also a decent batter, who can score runs after coming lower down the order. The Proteas might consider bringing in Andile Phehlukwayo as a like-for-like replacement for Magala.

Phehlukwayo played in the second and fifth ODIs of the five-match Australia series at home, scoring 39 runs and picking two wickets in the two games combined. His unbeaten 38 of 19 helped South Africa push their total past 300 in the final game, which they won by 122 runs eventually to clinch the series 3-2 in a thrilling fashion after being 0-2 behind at the start.

South Africa's updated ODI World Cup 2023 squad:

Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.