Anrich Nortje: The Proper Dutchman

South Africa is known for its rich history of nurturing fast bowlers. Cricket fans will fondly remember the contributions of the likes of Shaun Pollock or Allan Donald. Anrich Nortje has been carrying that legacy forward. Starting his international career relatively late, the 28-year-old has gone on to establish himself as a regular for the South Africa team across all three formats. Nortje brings sheer pace to the plate. He is one of the few bowlers in international cricket at the moment to have the ability to hit the deck consistently at 150 kmph. Indian T20 League lovers will remember Nortje’s 2/12 for the Delhi team against Hyderabad last year. The performance helped him win the Man of the Match award.

It was not a one-off performance though, with the Delhi team benefitting hugely from Nortje’s contributions in the 2020 season too. Together with countryman Kagiso Rabada, Nortje went on to pick up 33 wickets, helping their side reach the final of the tournament. It was his debut year in the Indian T20 League and there were more reasons to cheer for the Cape Province-born player. He recorded the fastest delivery in the history of the tournament, clocking an impressive 156.22 kmph, thus breaking the previous record. He went on to follow it up with a few more above 150.

Nortje’s heroics haven’t been limited to the domestic T20 scene. Keeping his issues with injuries aside, the pacer has been an influential figure for the Proteas in all three formats of the game. The right-handed bowler finished with figures of 6/56 as they bundled Sri Lanka out for 157 in the first innings of the Johannesburg Test in January last year. He took another 2 wickets in the second innings, thus finishing with 8/120 as the Proteas won the Test match by 10 wickets. He missed the recently-concluded Test series against India due to an injury.

The player’s importance in the shortest format of the game was proven when the Delhi team went on to sign him for a significantly hefty fee in the auction held earlier in February. The franchise will hope that this special Proteas pacer will push his issues with injury behind him and shine in the tournament both with the bat as well as the ball.

The following information about the player, together with your knowledge of cricket, gives you an opportunity to win cash prizes in fantasy cricket matches. Download the Howzat app and get a chance to win exciting prizes daily.