The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 tournament begins on 5th October with New Zealand and England facing off each other at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Right before the marquee event, the team’s few key players got injured and a few of them have been ruled out of the tournament.
It is a huge blow as their performances in the recent past has been brilliant and would have given them a chance to showcase talent on the biggest stage in front of capacity Indian crowds.
List of Injured Players Before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
- Travis Head
The left-handed batter and opener Travis Head suffered a hand injury during the 4th One-day international against South Africa. He did not bat as Australia lost the match by a massive margin.
Travis Head provided brilliant starts during the ODI series against South Africa. He is likely to miss the first half of the World Cup. It will be a major blow for the Australian team as Head and Warner provide aggressive starts in the first ten overs.
Travis Head’s absence would leave a big hole in the Australian opening during the initial matches of the World Cup. Mitchell Marsh and David Warner would open innings for Australia.
- Tim Southee
The experienced New Zealand suffered a thumb dislocation while trying to catch in the 4th One-day international match against England at Lords. He will travel with the New Zealand squad for the event and needs enough time to get fit for the tournament.
It will be a major blow if Southee is ruled out of the World Cup 2023. If Southee does not participate in this tournament, then New Zealand suffers as Trent Boult and Tim Southee are the best opening bowling pair that picks up early wickets to put pressure on the opponent batters in the first 10 overs.
If the experienced Southee is ruled out of the tournament, the absence will leave a major hole in the pace bowling department as his control of the new ball created a major impact.
- Anrich Nortje
The South African pacer Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the Cricket World Cup 2023. He played the second ODI against Australia and bowled only 5 overs as he did not bowl his quota. Nortje suffered an injury that ruled out of his entire ODI series.
It will be a major blow for the South African bowling lineup. Andile Phehlukawyo has been named his replacement. Nortje’s absence will leave a major hole in South Africa’s pace bowling department. The pace bowler’s experience of playing in Indian conditions.
His ability to bowl at a quick pace makes him a dangerous bowler to face. South Africa will genuinely miss him picking wickets for the captain.
- Sisanda Magala
South Africa has been dealt another major blow as Sisanda Magala will not feature in the World Cup 2023. He played 1 match during the ODI series against Australia but injured himself. His ability to put pressure on the opponent batters with his pace was an asset for the team.
Lizaad Williams has been his replacement for South Africa. Magala has the experience of playing for CSK in IPL 2023 and would have helped the Proteas. South Africa would look for other bowlers to deliver the goods on Indian pitches.
- Axar Patel
Axar Patel suffered an injury during the final Super 4 match against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2023. He batted in pain as India lost the encounter by six runs. The all-rounder did not feature during the finals against Sri Lanka.
He will not take part in the first two One-day internationals against Australia starting on 22nd September. Axar has been included during the final ODI subject to fitness. Axar has been in the mix as the third spinner along with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
Axar Patel is always the third option as a spinner and handy batter lower down the order. His ability to bowl with control and show his class could be a genuine choice in the absence of Jadeja getting injured during the World Cup 2023.
- Naseem Shah
Pakistan’s pace spearhead Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He suffered a shoulder injury during the Super 4 match against India and could not take part in the match against Sri Lanka.
He looked the most threatening bowler in the Super 4 match against India troubling Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. It is a major blow for the Pakistan team as Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi would have created havoc in the World Cup 2023.
Hasan Ali has been his replacement for Naseem Shah. Naseem Shah performed brilliantly in Asia Cup 2023.
7. Wanidnu Hasranaga
Sri Lanka’s lead leg spinner Wanidnu Hasranaga has been ruled out of the World Cup 2023. It is a massive blow for 1996 World Champion Sri Lanka as his ability to pick wickets in middle overs makes him a tough bowler to face.
Hasranaga did not take part in the 2023 Asia Cup due to the injury he suffered during the Lanka Premier League. His ability to trouble with his variations has proved lethal for the opponents.
The youngster Dushmantha Hemantha would be his replacement for this prestigious tournament and hoping to do the job for the country.
8. Dushmanta Chameera
The right-arm pace bowler Dushmanta Chameera has been also ruled out in the 2023 World Cup due to an injury. He did not feature in the 2023 Asia Cup played in Sri Lanka and Pakistan because of an injury that he suffered during the Lanka Premier League.
Chameera’s ability to bowl pace and trouble the opponent batters makes him a tough bowler to face. His absence would leave a huge hole in Sri Lanka’s pace bowling line creating pressure on batters in the first 10 overs.
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