Red tape rules out Warriors’ Nortje
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 (1.30pm).
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.
His coach Rivash Gobind said: “Anrich is fit to play but there is a ‘return-to-play’ protocol we have to follow.
“So he will play for EP in their one-day 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 protocol.
“I think it’s part of the CSA protocol because I know Dale Steyn had to play a couple of club games as well before he could be picked, so it’s similar to that,” Gobind said.
Another fan favourite, Colin Ingram, is unlikely to be seen in Warriors colours during the remainder of the season.
Ingram, who did not play red-ball 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 allow 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 he will play for us,” Gobind said.
“But I think the timeframes are not going to allow for it because he will need some rest as well because he has 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 been selected to the 13-man squad for Paarl.
Talented young batsman Sinethemba Qeshile is in the squad, along with promising allrounders Matthew Breetzke, Thomas Kaber and Onke Nyaku.
Gobind says he believes they have the correct balance for Paarl and is aware of the threat the Cobras pose.
“The Cape Town setup has been there or thereabouts all season. They’ve played good cricket but so have we.
“The selection meeting for this first game was pretty tough. I mean the guys who are not in that squad.
“Someone like Eddie Moore, who has had a fantastic fourday competition for us.
“But a change of format means we have to adjust.
“I’m sure he will get his chance but, I mean, to leave someone like him out, it shows that we are in a pretty strong position.”
The match will be televised live on SS2.