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- Anrich Nortje was quick to point out that his career best figures on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka were due to a collective effort.
- The 27-year-old quick had a particularly good ally in Wiaan Mulder, who a good spell just before lunch changed the course of the day’s game.
- Nortje is confident that his conditioning is optimal despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and says he feels really fit.
Any great starting act needs good support, so Anrich Nortje had little hesitation in crediting Proteas’ collective bowling effort, and Wiaan Mulder in particular, for his career best effort on the opening day of the second test against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers on Sunday.
The fast 27-year-old continued his love affair with the Plaza de Toros, reaping 6/56 loot when the Islanders collapsed in their first innings after choosing to hit first.
His numbers improved from the 5/110 he achieved at home against England last season.
However, it was Mulder’s cunning shutdowns that proved to be a major factor in allowing the South Africans to take control.
Things looked a bit risky as Sri Lanka starter Kusal Perera fought his way to a 60 of 67 balls in the first session before the 22-year-old off-roader produced an impressive 3/1 spell just before lunch for help the hosts. regain the initiative.
Nortje rushed ruthlessly.
“Wiaan has been amazing to us on this series to date,” he said.
“It’s great to have a guy in a seam fit who can keep a decent pace, but still keep things accurate. In fact, I remember saying before this series that I felt like a guy like Dwaine Pretorius fulfilled a similar role as the last season against England.
“I think I took most of my wickets in that series when I was bowling together with him and now it’s the same with Wiaan. It’s been a brilliant dynamic.
“When Wiaan walks in, he either takes a wicket or lets the guy on the other end do it. It’s a great partnership to have. If he continues to do this, the rest of the attack life will get a lot easier.”
Despite vividly showing that he thought a lot about his spells on Sunday, particularly after lunch, Nortje believes that the key to success is simplicity.
“It’s really about being strict and keeping things as simple as possible,” he said.
“We’re not trying to go out there and be elaborate. It’s about staying on the channel and throwing a good line.
“When it continues to do that, it will eventually create opportunities because careers are drying up.”
Given the lingering reservations about the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on fitness, it is understandable that exponents like Nortje risk falling under the curse of injury.
However, the pacemaker has apparently come out of the confinement stronger and clearly worse as well.
“I was fortunate to be able to move around a bit during that period and try to prepare as normal as possible,” Nortje said.
“That helped a lot. I also got a lot of belt overs in the IPL. I didn’t really worry too much about my conditioning before my first red ball series of the season.”
