A massive injury blow forthe South African National Cricket Team. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje walks off the field in the middle of the 20th over of Australia’s first innings on Day 4.
He delivered three balls of the over before pulling himself out of the over. Experienced spinner Simon Harmer delivered the remaining three balls of the over. It is unclear why Anrich Nortje left the ground with immediate effect.
Anrich Nortje picks up an injury during the South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test match.
Anrich Nortje made his return to the Test for the South Africa cricket team through the ongoing away series against Australia. He was in good rhythm in the ongoing match, taking Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket. The pacer has so far bowled 3.3 overs to take one wicket, conceding only 5 runs.
There could be a groin issue or an ankle issue that might have forced Anrich Nortje to leave the ground. Though the details are yet to come.
South African cricket team, led by Temba Bavuma, is desperate to win the match as they suffered a heavy defeat against Australia in the previous Test match in Durban. Both of the spots for the final of the ongoing cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) are still open, with multiple teams in the race to secure a berth.
Temba Bavuma’s century pulled South Africa out of danger
Pressure and expectations, both are on the Proteas as they are defending champions of WTC. In the recent past, whenever these two teams meet each other in a Test match, it has ended in fierce rivalry.
Temba Bavuma fought brilliantly with the bat in their first innings. With the skipper’s 179 runs off 334 balls, the hosts established a massive total of 425 runs in their first innings. From the lower order, Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer’s 80+ run knocks helped the team and Bavuma to put the total.
They started well with the ball as well, taking the wicket of the Australian opener Nic Maddinson. Another duck for Nic. As the match progresses on Day 4, to win the match, the Proteas need to take wickets in quick intervals. Anrich Nortje’s sheer pace and movement could prove lethal.
Marco Jansen claims his 4th wicket in the innings
The pace combination of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Nortje, and Wiaan Mulder has been keeping pressure on the Aussie batters from the beginning of the innings. The grass on the pitch and occasional clouds in the sky make the conditions favourable for the fast bowlers. As this article, Australia was on 65 runs, having lost 6 wickets.
After Maddinson, Scott Boland, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, and Alex Carey returned to the pavilion. In the absence of Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen is doing well for South Africa. He has already claimed 4 wickets. As of now, the home team is leading the race against the Australia national cricket team. If SA wins the match, it can cause a massive turnaround in the WTC points table.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
