CSA contracts 2024/25: Anrich Nortje left out of list
Express pacer Anrich Nortje has been left out of Cricket South Africa's (CSA) list of contracted players for the 2024/25 season. Nortje, one of the fastest bowlers, recently bowled in the ongoing CSA T20 Challenge. While Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Sisanda Magala, Wayne Parnell, and Keegan Petersen are the notable absentees, Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi have earned their national contracts.
Nortje suffered lumbar stress fracture last year
As per Cricbuzz, Nortje featured in only nine of South Africa's 37 international matches last year. He suffered a lumbar stress fracture that ruled him out for nearly six months, starting September 16 in 2023. The 30-year-old, who owns 144 international wickets, will next be in action in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. However, he missed Delhi Capitals' opening clash.
CSA list of contracted players (2024/25)
Contract list: Temba Bavuma, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen.
Nortje to only play T20 cricket?
As per a Cricbuzz report, Nortje has communicated his desire to concentrate on T20 cricket, including franchises and internationals. Notably, Nortje last played Test cricket in March 2023. He has 234 wickets in First-Class cricket.
Other experienced players excluded
As mentioned, the contract list excludes de Kock, Elgar, Magala, Parnell, and Petersen. De Kock plays only T20Is, having retired from Test and ODI cricket. Similarly, SA's Test batter Elgar has bid adieu to international cricket. Meanwhile, Magala, Parnell, and Petersen haven't been in the scheme of things of late. They featured in a handful of games last year.
Burger, de Zorzi earn maiden contracts
As mentioned, Burger and de Zorzi have earned their maiden national contracts. Burger, a left-arm pacer, impressed in his debut international series, against India. De Zorzi, a top-order batter, averages an incredible 69.00 in ODI cricket. He boasts over 3,000 runs in both First-Class and List A cricket. Meanwhile, the experienced Andile Phehlukwayo has returned to the setup.
