Nortje’s Warriors’ comeback – on hold

An odd red-tape scenario means the Warriors will be without star fast bowler Anrich Nortje for their opening Momentum One-Day Cup match against the Cape Cobras in Paarl on Friday.

Nortje, who has been out of action since midway through the Mzansi Super League, has recovered from ankle surgery and was fit enough for selection.

But a CSA process means he must first play for Eastern Province this weekend before he can be considered for the Warriors.

“Anrich is fit to play but there is a ‘return to play’ protocol that we got to follow,” coach Rivash Gobind said.

“So what’s going to happen with him is that he will play for EP this weekend in their oneday game against Boland on Sunday. He will be available for us in our second game at the Wanderers.

“It’s just to cover all bases with the doctors, physio and trainers. So, if anything does happen, they have gone through the right [CSA] protocol.”

Another fan favourite Colin Ingram is unlikely to be seen in Warriors colours during the remainder of the season.

Ingram, who did not play redball cricket for the Warriors this season and was not in the Mzansi Super League draft, has been in serious demand for T20 tournaments around the world and his schedule is unlikely to provide for Warriors game time.

“Ingram is going to the Pakistan Super League so there is no gap for him to be used. We have an agreement in place with him that if he is available that he would play for us,” said Gobind.

“But I think the time-frames are not going to allow for it because he will need some rest as well because he was also been picked up in the IPL. He’s got a pretty heavy workload.”

Eddie Moore, who scored 921 runs for the Warriors in the four-day format, has not made selection to the 13-man squad for Paarl. Talented young batsmen Sinethemba Qeshile is in the squad along with promising Matthew Breetzke allrounders Thomas Kaber and Onke Nyaku.

“The Cape Town set-up has been there or thereabouts all season. They’ve played good cricket but so have we,” said Gobind. “The selection meeting for this first game was pretty tough.

“But a change of format means we have to sort of adjust. I’m sure he [Moore] will get his chance but I mean to leave someone like him out, it shows that we are in a pretty strong position.”

Ingram is going to the Pakistan Super League so there is no gap for him