Injury-plagued Proteas quick Anrich Nortje hopes to be picked up at the SA20 auction and play his way back into the national team.
The 31-year-old has endured a string of setbacks since 2019, particularly with his back. His latest layoff came after two appearances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s IPL.
“I felt uncomfortable after the last IPL match and spoke to a specialist, who found that there was a build-up of fluid in my back,” Nortje told Rapport. “It’s not a career-threatening injury. I will be bowling faster and faster over the course of eight weeks, from just a few steps to a full run-up. I’ve now completed about two weeks of the process.”
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Nortje missed the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, as well as this year’s Champions Trophy, but insists he won’t let frustration get the better of him.
“From a mental point of view, I try not to dig too deep and think too deeply about the injuries. It’s part of the sport. Every time it happens, I work as hard as possible to become better after the injury than I was before it came.
“I try to add something extra to my bowling arsenal after the setback. For me, it is important not to feel sorry for myself when injuries occur. After the IPL last year, I just sharpened my skills a little.”
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Looking ahead, he hopes the SA20 can be his springboard.
“Obviously I want to play in the SA20 again if I’m picked up at the auction next week. I’m confident that when I’m back from the injury, hopefully I’ll get another opportunity [with the Proteas].”
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad publicly backed the speedster in June.
“He is a superstar fast bowler and dealing with one setback after another can’t be easy. We are certainly not writing him off. He is 31 years old and we are going to give him every chance to come back.”
Photo: Philip Brown/Gallo Images
