“I’ll be very excited”: Anrich Nortje eyes Test comeback against Australia
South African speedster Anrich Nortje reveals his intense red-ball preparation as he prepares for a high-stakes Test series against Australia.
South African pace sensation Anrich Nortje is gearing up for a massive return to the longest format of the game, expressing immense excitement about the prospect of donning the Test cap once again.
The speedster has been named in South Africa’s 18-member preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match ICC World Test Championship series against Australia. The high-octane contest is set to kick off at Kingsmead in Durban on October 9.
A Long-Term Plan for Red-Ball Success
Nortje, who has not played a Test match since 2023, revealed that his return to the red-ball arena is no accident. He has been working behind the scenes for a significant period to ensure his body and skills are ready for the rigors of Test cricket.
"My prep from quite some time back has been red-ball," Nortje shared, according to the ICC website. He explained that his training has focused on executing specific skills with the red ball and gradually building up his workload in a sustainable manner. "It's been quite a bit of a focus for me to try and execute skills with the red ball, to build loads gradually - and in the right way - and to try and get the overs up," he added.
This self-driven preparation has been bolstered by technical guidance from national bowling coach Piet Botha. Nortje has been meticulously analyzing his bowling action to make it stronger and more reliable, frequently sending his progress to Botha for expert validation.
The Passion for the Test Format
While Nortje has established himself as a terrifying force in white-ball cricket—holding the record as South Africa's leading wicket-taker at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup—his heart remains firmly set on the Test arena. He noted a fundamental difference in the mental approach required for both formats.
- T20 Cricket: Focused heavily on immediate skill execution.
- Test Cricket: Requires navigating through tough sessions, good times, and immense hard work to see you through.
"I'll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again. Growing up, it's the format you want to play. It's the motivation when you train," the pacer said emphatically.
Seeking Redemption Against Australia
The upcoming series against Australia offers a chance for personal and collective redemption. Nortje’s previous encounter with the Australians was during the 2022-23 tour, a difficult series where South Africa lost 2-0. Although he played all three Tests and claimed seven wickets, the experience left a mark.
"Personally, we always said we want to try and rectify things when we get them back home. It was a tough series... but we wanted to get them in South Africa and do well. That's what's in my head," Nortje remarked, noting that matches against Australia always bring out an extra level of "X-factor" and intensity from the players.
Supporting the Reigning Champions
South Africa enters this series with significant momentum, holding the title of reigning ICC World Test Championship holders after their victory against Australia in the London final last year. Nortje expressed great admiration for the squad's evolution under head coach Shukri Conrad.
"The way the team's progressed over the last few years has been amazing under coach Shuks. It's been really good, the way they've played and how they've gone about things. Hopefully, I can just add 1%, 2%, or whatever it might be to help the team," he concluded.