Anrich Nortje shifts focus towards T20 Cricket

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje was a notable exclusion from the Cricket South Africa Proteas Men’s contract list announced this week.

However, the quick is not retired from international cricket.

Nortje has reportedly told Proteas management and CSA that he wants to focus on T20 cricket.

ANRICH NORTJE IS BACK BUT FOCUSED ON T20 CRICKET

The T20 Challenge saw Nortje make his return to action after a long injury layoff induced by a stress fracture in his back.

That injury should serve as context for Nortje’s decision to focus on the shortened version of the game.

Nortje wants to be in the frame for the T20 World Cup but will need to use his franchise contracts to make his push for a return.

 CSA’s director of cricket Enoch Nkwe offered some clarity on Nortje’s position with the Proteas.

Nkwe revealed that, fitness allowing, Nortje will return to ODI duty during the home summer at the end of the year.

“He requested he wants to focus on T20 cricket for the next few months. He is not retiring from any internationals.

Nkwe also said: “He will avail himself for T20 internationals. Towards the end of the year, he will look to play ODIs again,” Nkwe told ESPNcricinfo. “We will be monitoring him and around to help him with whatever he needs.”

BACK IN THE IPL

Nortje arrived in Delhi on Monday to join the Capitals squad for the ongoing IPL.

Everything moved a little 𝘕𝘖𝘙𝘛𝘑𝘌 today 😉🤯

Welcome 🔙, 𝟏𝟓𝟔.𝟐 𝐤𝐩𝐡 🔥#YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/me5uirhY30

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 25, 2024

Nortje already has 53 IPL wickets to his name in just 40 matches in the tournament but hasn’t reached the heights of his debut campaign in any season.

INJURY LAYOFF GIVES NORTJE A REFRESH

Nortje has revealed that the time away from the game has been refreshing as he focused on getting back to fitness.

“The biggest thing (when out of action due to injury) is to try to switch off from cricket, take it easy, go on with life and then get back to the cricket specifics when the time is right. That’s more or less what I was doing,” said Nortjé in an interview with Independent Newspapers.

“The body is feeling really good, better than expected, I suppose.

“Coming from nothing for a good few months straight back into cricket, from a personal perspective, it’s massive to be playing again, especially T20s.

“I’m just trying to build in every game, trying to improve and get back to the level where I was before the injury.

“I just have to keep ticking over, keep doing the work behind the scenes.”