Was my decision to opt out of central contract: Nortje

Anrich Nortje’s stocks were at an all-time high during the period 2021-23. He was easily one of the most sought-after pacers in world cricket, with his ability to clock the high 150 kmph for fun. However, then came the injuries, one of the deadliest things to happen to any pace bowler. 

Those injuries sucked the form out of Nortje and ultimately forced him to train doubly hard to return to perfect form and shape. The South African pacer made his well-awaited return at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Representing the Delhi Capitals, Nortje had a forgettable tournament, averaging 42 with the ball while conceding runs at 13.36, one of the worst campaigns for any pacer in IPL history. 

But throughout this, what remained important for Nortje was that he was gearing towards full fitness. 

"It was about finding ways to get better over there [India]. And the training after the games was good, working with the coaches there at Delhi, with [bowling coach] James Hopes. I wasn't worried much about what the scoreboard did at that stage," Nortje told ESPNCricinfo. 

Nortje suffered a stress fracture in his lower back in 2023, which eventually ruled him out of cricket until the 2024 IPL. Looking back, the South African pacer insisted that the injury was tough, but his aim was to get back to the right intensity. 

"It's definitely been tough on everyone, but the time off was great. Starting again was about getting to the right intensity. The medical team did a really good job to assure me that everything was fine with the stress fractures. I played a few games back home, trying to push as much as possible, as soon as possible, and when I was cleared to go ahead, full out,” he added. 

Nortje also opted out of South Africa’s new central contract, citing that he would want to pick and choose games, considering his record with injuries. 

"It was my decision. It was just to see how my body goes. I hadn't had a stress fracture since 2010 and I just had a little bit of 'nervy' in the back, so I just wanted to take the time to play when I can, play when I know I'm ready, rather than having to play every series or every whatever is coming up,” he said. 

"So to make that decision on my own according to my body has been good so far. Still happy with the decision, and it's more just for me to have the calmness and to know that, if I need a break for a week, if I need a break for a month, then I can do that.”

While he has not yet chatted with the selectors, Nortje all but confirmed that he wants to play in the 50-over global event Champions Trophy next year. 

"The most immediate thing that has a question mark around would probably be the one-dayers, having a Champions Trophy coming up at the start of next year. So that would be the big question mark on how we're going to go about that. So far, things have been going good, but they're still chats that I need to have with Cricket South Africa, which I haven't had. I haven't really made a decision on what's going to happen with one-day cricket in the next few months. So we'll take that as it comes. But for now, it's obviously focusing on the World Cup and trying to get through this and bring the trophy back home,” he added.

South Africa are one of the four unbeaten teams in the tournament, alongside India, Australia, and the West Indies, although their wins have been patchy. 

Nortje is one of the driving forces behind their incredible record at the global event, with nine wickets in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where he averages 7.77 with the ball. Nortje insisted that every game in the tournament is a big game, and the Proteas are in it to ‘win it’. 

"We do know that it is a World Cup and it is a big occasion. I don't think anyone is downplaying that. It's not just another game. Every game is a big game, but once you start worrying about the next game I think you lose a little bit of focus on what you have to do now. We're in it to win it. We're really focused and well prepped to go all the way."

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