Durban: Anrich Nortje is on the brink of a remarkable return to Test cricket. The express paceman, sidelined from first-class cricket for three-and-a-half years by back and hip problems, is expected to be named in South Africa’s 15-man squad for the series against Australia.
A long road back
Nortje last played a Test in March 2023. Since then, a series of injuries forced him to ration his body to white-ball cricket. His raw pace — among the fastest in world cricket at his peak — has been sorely missed in the longest format.
“I’ll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again,” Nortje said. “Growing up, it’s the format you want to play.”
Why South Africa need him
The Proteas’ pace stocks are stretched thin. There are fitness doubts over Kagiso Rabada and three other quicks, leaving the attack short of both experience and menace against an Australian batting line-up featuring Smith, Labuschagne and Head.
The risk and reward
Rushing a fast bowler back after such a layoff is always a gamble, but Nortje’s white-ball form suggests the pace is intact. If he gets through the series, South Africa gain a genuine point of difference; if his body holds for the long term, they regain one of the most feared new-ball pairs in cricket alongside Rabada.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
