The South African Pacer Anrich Nortje is doubtful for Delhi Capitals’ first match of the IPL 2024 season.
Will Anrich Nortje play in Delhi’s first Game
Anrich Nortje who plays for Delhi Capitals has been preparing for the upcoming IPL season. The South Africa who has been sidelined from action since last year September is set to resume his cricketing career starting with IPL.
Anrich who plays for Warriors in the CSA T20 challenge, has made his appearance in an official game during the match against Tuskers on March 08. His last appearance comes on September 09 during the second ODI match of Australia’s tour of South Africa 2023.
During the match, he suffered with lumbar stress fracture due to which he missed the ODI World Cup, India’s tour of South Africa 2024, and the second season of SA20.
But he made some appearances as an ambassador during the men’s U-19 World Cup 2024 in South Africa.
During the match against Tuskers, despite going wicketless, he was satisfied with his returns of 0/12 in four overs. He wasn’t set to bowl in consecutive overs but bowled in the second, sixth, ninth, and fifteenth over of the match.
“He came through well,” said Warriors Coach Robin Peterson. “His pace was up; he’s as quick as I’ve seen him. He looks happy with his body. Now his target is playing back-to-back competitive games.”
With Anrich’s wife, Micaela Nortje set to give birth to her first child, he will be missing some matches in the T20 league.
He was one of the fastest bowlers of the game. He owned three of IPL’s 10 all-time fast deliveries which are all above 150 Km/hr.
“There’s always that element of getting confident in the machine again,” Peterson said.
“But Anrich is incredibly professional. He’s had injuries before, so he’s got some sort of formula on how to recover and what to do. The more I watch him bowl, the more he seems fine. He looks fit and healthy. He looks happy.”
While asked about his mental health Peterson said, “He’s rock solid. He’s got no issues. Anrich is a low-maintenance cricketer. He does his work and gets on with it.”
Anrich missed the IPL 2019 and ODI World Cup in the same year due to a shoulder injury. He made his IPL debut in the 2020 season and has played 40 matches in the domestic tournament across seasons.
Anrich has bagged 53 wickets with a best return of 3/33 in his IPL career. He has been retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.
The problem about his appearance for the upcoming season is that he will be having a child before the start of the IPL and it is doubtful that he will reach India on time to play in DC’s first match of the campaign.
The 17th edition of the IPL 2024 is set to begin on March 22 with Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore to play in the first match of the campaign.
Delhi Capitals will be playing their first match against Punjab Kings on March 23 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
