South African pacer Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series with a persistent injury. Meanwhile, former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has said that his absence will mean that the Indian batters will breadth a sigh of relief for the rest of the series. He further said that his absence will be an advantage for the Indian team with the series starting with the first Test from December 26.
Previewing the series on his Youtube channel, Butt said that Anrich Nortje was a good exponent of the short ball and he could have troubled the Indian batsmen with bouncers on assisting pitches. He feels it is a big loss for the Proteas as he has the ability to trouble the best of the batters with his bowling.
“Indian batters will breathe a sigh of relief as Anrich Nortje has been ruled out. He’s known to bowl short-pitched deliveries and can make a significant impact with his line and length. Definitely an advantage to the Indian team.”
Despite Nortje’s absence, the Protesan side has good options in Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Sisanda Magala and Keshav Maharaj. Meanwhile, the Indian batting lineup will be without Rohit Sharma and the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been struggling with form lately.
Anrich Nortje Ruled Out Will Mean Indian Batters Will Breadth A Sigh Of Relief: Salman Butt
#Proteas Squad update 🚨
Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the 3-match #BetwayTestSeries due to a persistent injury 🚑
No replacement will be brought in#SAvIND #FreedomSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/5R8gnwdcpF
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 21, 2021
“Ajinkya Rahane will have to score runs on a consistent basis. There’s no other way he can end his lean phase,” Butt added
The three-match Test series will follow a three-match ODI series and will the matches will be played behind closed doors as a protective measure against COVID outbreak.
CSA said on Monday the three Tests and three ODIs would be played in front of empty stands because of pandemic fears.
A release said that “owing to the increasing Covid cases around the world, and the fourth wave locally, [CSA and the BCCI] have taken a joint decision to protect the players and the tour by not making tickets available” for sale, a move made to “avoid any breaches that could compromise the tour from a Covid-risk perspective and to also maintain a hazard-free bubble environment”.
