COLOMBO, Sept 14: South African left-arm spinner Nicky Boje has broken his finger and looks certain to miss the Proteas ICC Champions Trophy pool game against Kenya on Friday.
Although he was on the field when Alan Dawson struck the winning runs from the final ball of the game against the West Indies, Boje’s presence was only due to several pain killing injections.
“Nicky has a fracture at the base of the terminal phalanx on the ring finger of his right hand,” South African team doctor Preggie Moodley said.
“He is certainly not being sent home but we will monitor the situation and have a look again before the match against Kenya in seven days time,” she added.
However with Kenya not regarded as a serious challenge Boje looks certain to sit out and be replaced by Boland all-rounder Justin Ontong.
And although Ontong is reportedly bowling his mixed-bag of off and leg spin very impressively in the practice sessions, the seasoned Boje will be available for the semifinals.
Boje broke his finger while fielding skipper Carl Hooper’s drive from his own bowling.—PPI