Anrich Nortje. (Phill Magakoe/AFP)
- Going to the Cricket World Cup without paceman Anrich Nortje is a massive blow to the Proteas, skipper Temba Bavuma admits.
- Bavuma, though, is confident that Gerald Coetzee can fill the void left by Nortje.
- SA will play two warm-up matches against Afghanistan on Friday and New Zealand on Monday, before their tournament opener against Sri Lanka in Delhi on 7 October.
- For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.
Captain Temba Bavuma says the Proteas will miss Anrich Nortje’s
experience and leadership at the World Cup in India but has backed Gerald
Coetzee to step up.
READ | No ‘overheating’: Proteas want to peak at right time with steady start at World Cup
Nortje, 29, was ruled out of the global showpiece with a back injury, with the
fast bowler now missing his second consecutive 50-over World Cup after also
being ruled out of the campaign in England in 2019.
The paceman was a key component in the Proteas’ plans in India, with the
South Africans looking to use their battery of fast bowlers to counter
opposition teams.
Bavuma feels that 22-year-old Coetzee, who has only played in six ODIs, will
be able to fill the role left by Nortje just as he did in the recent series
victory over Australia.
When asked about Nortje’s absence before the team’s departure, the Proteas
skipper told reporters: “We share in his disappointment and the emotion of
him missing his second World Cup.
“The biggest thing with Anrich is the experience and his leadership
within the team. That leadership part isn’t easily replaced.
“If we do decide to still go [the pace] route, Gerald can still do that
role, he doesn’t have Anrich’s experience, but he will only get that experience
by playing.
“Even in the series against Australia, I felt he bowled well, according
to the role we wanted him to do.”
Gerald Coetzee.
Gallo Images Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
The Proteas will play two warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup, against
Afghanistan on Friday and New Zealand on Monday, before their tournament
opener against Sri Lanka in Delhi on 7 October.
Bavuma said it is essential that they start well in the campaign and take
lessons from 2019 when they lost three of their first four matches before exiting
the tournament ahead of the knockout stages.
After the clash against Sri Lanka, South Africa will then play qualifier
Netherlands before tackling Australia.
Bavuma added: “We’ve been criticised for not starting series’ well and
we are looking for answers for that, but coming off the cricket we have, with
the confidence and the momentum we have gained, that will put us in good stead
in terms of being close to our best from the start.
“We understand it is a marathon and playing at your best in game one, might
not be what you are looking for.
“You want to be playing winning cricket but for us, it is when we get
the opportunity in the knockout stages, what we want to be hitting our straps
and playing our best cricket.”
Proteas’ World Cup squad:
Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Lizaad Williams (Titans).
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