Paceman Anrich Nortje aims to catch selectors’ attention before World Cup 2019

He is the latest pace sensation from the land of the Allan Donalds and Dale Steyns and Anrich Nortje is eager to make a case before the national selectors ahead of the ICC World Cup starting in England in May. The 25-year-old caught eyes in South Africa’s inaugural domestic T20 tournament – Mzansi Super League held last November-December and he certainly wants to build on that further.

Nortje also bagged a Rs 20-lakh deal with Kolkata Knight Riders for the Indian Premier League starting March 23 and he is eyeing to make the most of it and is in the middle of serious homework with his coach Piet Botha. Having made his first-class debut in 2013, the Eastern Province bowler has played 47 first-class and 29 List ‘A’ games taking 206 wickets besides claiming 19 scalps in 12 T20s.

Nortje is no novice with the bat either and has four half-centuries to his credit already with the highest score of 79 not out. It’s not that the bowler is certain of making the WC squad but rather wants to focus on the pre-WC games to draw the attention of the selectors for making his international debut.

Nortje recently spoke with Cricbuzz in an exclusive interview in which he said: “The MSL is when everyone started noticing me outside South Africa and even in some parts of SA. Unfortunately, our 4-day cricket doesn’t get broadcast. I felt good rhythm going into the MSL and the momentum just continued for me. It definitely helped to get my name out there for those who hadn’t seen me before.”

Nortje last played a match for the Warriors in Momentum One Day Cup in Durban in which he took a wicket for 36 runs. He said the change in his game came after he started focusing on getting into a stronger position at the crease. He added that it worked for him after having a few sessions with (provincial) coach Piet Botha during the winter.

Containing run as important as bowling fast, feels Nortje

That Nortje has a mature head on his shoulders became evident when he said that to succeed in the modern-day limited-overs cricket, pace will have to contain the run as well besides bowling fast.

When asked whether he is dreaming of representing SA at the ICC World Cup this year, Nortje said he just wanted to give his best whenever an opportunity came his way to make his candidature for international cricket strong.

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