After India trounced New Zealand 3-0 in the home T20I series and then beat them 1-0 in the 2-match Test series, there’s a lot of buzz over their next assignment as they’ve flown out for the 2021 India tour of South Africa. There’s plenty of excitement as this series is happening after the whole drama about the change of ODI captaincy, with Virat Kohli still the captain in the longest format (for now)!
Another reason for the hype around the series is the Omicron variant of coronavirus which began in South Africa itself but the boards deemed it fit to play here now, but behind closed doors, once again. The tour will include 3 Tests and then 3 ODIs and this is the first cricket SA will be playing after a good show at the 2021 T20 World Cup (and of course, a cancelled Netherlands tour of South Africa).
But big news coming in for the home side just a few days before the start of the first Test is that Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the 3-match tests series thanks to a ‘persistent’ hip injury. Indians are not used to a whole lot of raw pace and with Nortje being one of the fastest in world cricket at this moment, he was surely one of the main weapons for the home team.
No Nortje – better chance for India?
He hasn’t bowled since that T20 World Cup in UAE and will now be out a little while longer. He was initially set to play here but has been ruled out eventually, since he’s still struggling with the niggle and wasn’t cleared to play. This will make the lives of the Indians much easier and for those who think India is going to make a few wins overseas and you’d want to make some money on it, bet with Boyle Sports now.
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The 28-year old pacer has been destructive in the last couple of years, ending as one of the top wicket-takers in IPL 2020 and then being equally dangerous in IPL 2021 too, which means he’s shown great success against Indian batsmen in the past! With 47 wickets in just 12 Tests so far, we’re hoping he gets a chance to keep going and isn’t one of many pacers who have an injury-riddled career.
A big blow for South Africa ahead of the #SAvIND Tests 👇
Anrich Nortje will miss the three-match series as he has "not recovered adequately" from a persistent injury. pic.twitter.com/GSlOwUYixw
— ICC (@ICC) December 21, 2021
A number of cricket experts tweeted about this as a big blow for the hosts as he could’ve been the series-changing bowler as well. “Losing Anrich Nortje is a huge blow for South Africa. With his pace, he would have been a real handful.” said cricket analyst and commentator Harsha Bhogle on Nortje being ruled out of the series.
The tour begins on 26th Dec 2021 and another reason for loving it is that it’s going to be another traditional Boxing Day Test match, and cricket fans always love kicking their feet up and watching the cricket on this holiday around the world. For similar cricketing news from around the world, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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