After an injury-stricken 2018/19 campaign, Anrich Nortje aims to bounce back and impress with positive contributes for the Proteas this season, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The 25-year-old received his ultimate dream on Tuesday – a call-up to the Proteas Test squad.
READ: NORTJE, SECOND, MUTHUSAMY GET TEST CALL-UP
With the Proteas looking for a replacement for Dale Steyn, Nortje was called up to the Test squad for their first series of the Test Championship – the three-match series in India.
“I was over the moon when I got the news. I’m so excited to be in the Test squad. It’s an honour and something I always wanted to be a part of,” said Nortje exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine. “Maybe it will hit me harder when I’m with the team and I’m there [in India].
“Some of the goals I want to achieve, besides my first cap, is to make a positive impact on the game and give it my best by trying to help us win the series, that would be unbelievable.”
READ: “I want to build my own game” – Nortje
After a season hampered by injuries – an ankle injury that saw him miss a large chunk of the MSL, a cyst in his shoulder which he picked up in his last ODI against Sri Lanka, and a broken thumb which saw him ruled out of the World Cup – Nortje looked for positives during the trying period instead of feeling sorry about his misfortune.
“It seemed like everything happened when I had momentum on my side, but that’s something you learn to deal with,” he said.
“[It was hard] being out at crucial stages, missing the World Cup and part of Mzansi as well… it was tough but also allowed me to have some good breaks away from cricket which I wasn’t able to have in the last season or so.
“I tried to take the positives out of it. I also got married which also helped me a lot with coping with everything.”
In his explanation of his injury-stricken period, the young speedster lent some advice to those whose careers have also been hampered by the uncontrollable.
“You always going to get injuries… sometimes you going to go a few seasons without it and then all of a sudden you get a few in one season. My advice to others is to stick to what you believe in and what you want to achieve.
“You need to keep the drive going. I’m someone who tries to back myself as much as possible and try to achieve every goal that I set out. I also try working as hard as possible en route to my goals.
“I would like to thank my family and friends who have been very crucial during the period of my injuries.
“My wife has been amazing in supporting me and it was awesome having her with me through that difficult period.
“I must also thank Piet Botha who has helped me with my bowling and improved my action, he’s been unbelievable.”
Before we get to see Nortje in whites in October, the young speedster might first have to see out the three-match T20I series, which kicks off the India tour on 15 September.
READ: BAVUMA, FORTUIN, NORTJE EARN T20I CALL-UP
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
