South Africa’s Nortje ruled out of Champions TrophyWed, 15 Jan 2025 16:24:51 GMT

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje was on Tuesday ruled out of the Champions Trophy because of a back injury.The latest injury setback for the 31-year-old was announced by Cricket South Africa a day after he was named in his country’s 15-man squad for the tournament in Pakistan next month.Nortje, at his peak the fastest bowler in international cricket, underwent a scan on Monday, according to a statement by CSA, “which revealed the extent of the injury”.The statement did not specify the exact nature of the injury.Nortje, who has played in 19 Tests, 22 one-day internationals and 42 T20 internationals, has not played any international cricket since the final of the T20 World Cup in Barbados last June.He had been in line to make a comeback against Pakistan last month but suffered a broken toe while batting in the nets.Nortje was also ruled out of the ongoing SA20 franchise competition in which he was due to play for Pretoria Capitals.  CSA said a replacement would be named later.