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Anrich Nortje (Gallo Images)
If anyone needed to remember why absolute pace is important in test cricket, Anrich Nortje He did so vividly on the opening day of the second test between the Proteas and Sri Lanka at the Wanderers on Sunday.
The speedy 27-year-old led the dismantling of the visitors, who totaled a measly 157 in his first innings after choosing to hit first as he captured his career-best 6/56 in 14.3 penetration overs.
That foundation was capitalized by Dean elgar and Rassie van der Dussen, who posted an unbeaten 114 for the second wicket when the hosts reached 148/1 at the end.
Elgar stole much of the hitting show with an undefeated 92 out of just 116, while his partner finished with 40.
Actually, it wasn’t Nortje’s column of wickets that was the most important reason for a bowler to clock over 140 km / h on each delivery, but the way he took them.
On a Wanderers surface that will likely require a bit more sun to accelerate, Nortje’s extra zip was vital, especially given the troubles of his less rushed new ball partner, Lungi Ngidi.
This was not a course where the 130km / h rate was going to take a bowler away unless it was extremely accurate.
That was evident in Wiaan Mulder’s spell.
The 22-year-old Highveld Lions all-rounder continued his good form on the ball, his 3/25 spell opening the hatch that led to the collapse of Sri Lanka.
Nortje made the initial breakthrough when he had a hitless Dimuth Karunaratne (2) caught behind with a snort that shot from a short stretch.
South Africa then struggled to advance after that, as the carefree Kusal Perera monopolized the scoreboard for most of the first session, reveling in the will of the home attack to allow him to pass the line.
The Islanders’ previous tour hero here in 2019 hit 11 limits on his 60-of-67 balls as the run rate surpassed the four-plus mark before Mulder made his appearance.
The 22-year-old Highveld Lions star, who actually labels himself an all-rounder, hit twice in his second over when his splendid line made Sri Lankans suddenly nervous.
He landed a delivery to lean over the dangerous Perera, who took a thick lead on a half drive and then took Kusal Mendis four deliveries later when the right-hander pushed hard another ball that was exemplary in his line and length.
In his next over, he had Lahiru Thirimanne (17) caught in the slips after the southpaw took shape to play leg.
From a position of relative strength, Sri Lanka found itself in a lot of trouble.
Encouraged by Mulder’s spectacular explosion, Nortje took over.
He polished off an excellent first session for the hosts by firing rookie Minod Bhanuka with an extra rebound that found the bat’s joint, before delivering his jackpot spell after the break.
Channeling his aggression much more efficiently than at Centurion earlier in the week, the Warriors ace varied his assault and reaped well-deserved rewards.
Adopting a fuller line, Nortje got Niroshan Dickwella caught in a breakthrough after Kock’s Quinton brilliantly dived in front of the first slide to sustain a skillful reception.
It was shorter for his next two victims, Dasun Shanaka (2) and Dushmantha Chameera (22), who strangely went to check-ups before fully castling last man and rookie Asitha Fernando.
It was a spell that enviously combined power with precision.
Sri Lankan bowling, despite some decent streaks from Asitha (1/30), who claimed Aiden Markram as their first proving ground, and a good first spell from Dasun Shanaka, lacked similar inspiration.
Elgar was typically ruthless on the inside, where he used his usual move to good effect, although his offside play was not far behind.
He found a good ally in Van der Dussen, who displayed rare mental steel as he ignored the 26 deliveries that took him off the mark to his six fours in what became a progressively smoother inning.
