South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been released from the Test squad ahead of the second game against West Indies starting from Wednesday, March 8, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
According to a press release by Cricket South Africa, Nortje felt mild discomfort in the first Test, where the home team recorded a comprehensive 87-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
As a precautionary measure, he has been asked to take rest by the medical team, and his progress will be closely monitored by the Board.
With Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, and Marco Jansen set to feature in the playing XI, the team management has not named any replacement in the squad for the speedster.
The team will also be without the services of bowling coach Charl Langeveldt for the final Test.
The West Indies series was supposed to be the last for the former South African pacer, who is set to join the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. However, ahead of the second Test, Langeveldt has also been released from the squad due to family reasons.
The two-Test series are part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, but the Proteas are not in contention for the summit clash after their defeats against England and Australia.
South Africa squad for the second Test:
Temba Bavuma (Captain), Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton