South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje will miss Tuesday’s third Test against Australia at Newlands after scans confirmed a mild groin injury.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has not named a replacement for the series decider, with the three-match contest level at 1-1. Nortje sustained the injury while bowling during the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha on Wednesday.
Scans the following day confirmed the problem. He later left the field midway through his fourth over and did not return.
The setback interrupts Nortje’s return to Test cricket after more than three-and-a-half years without a red-ball match before the series opener in Durban. South Africa had initially expected to rest him for the second Test.
Selectors retained the pacer after he completed the opening match without trouble. CSA has not given a timeline for his recovery.
Gerald Coetzee, all-rounder Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson are among the existing squad options to replace Nortje in the playing eleven.
Selectors could instead turn to left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy if they prefer another spin option. South Africa are monitoring several other injured players, including Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Tony de Zorzi.
Read: Australia Test Selection Faces Questions Before Cape Town
The third and final Test starts at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday. South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje will miss the Test series decider against Australia after scans confirmed a mild groin injury.
