Young guns excite Nortje
● Proteas quick believes Warriors must hit ground running when play resumes
Proteas quick Anrich Nortje believes the young Warriors attack will shake up opposition franchises and that a quick start is all-important this coming season.
The 26-year-old fast bowler says key to the Warriors’ success will be how they get out the blocks.
“How we start the season will be very important,” Nortje said.
“The guys are keen to get going. We have a very good balance in the side and it will come down to how the guys react to the start of the season,” Nortje told The Herald.
Having not had much action with the Eastern Cape side last season due to his national commitments, Nortje was quietly confident the side could pose a threat in the new campaign, despite its youthful nature.
“I’d say in the last few seasons we have gone the younger route as opposed to having more experienced guys.
“So it’s been a trend we have been following and I think it is something that has worked for us,” the lanky speedster said.
Having lost some key players to retirement and moves to other parts of the country, Nortje said the addition of some exciting young prospects should not to be overlooked.
“Obviously bringing in the likes of [Wihan] Lubbe and [Marco] Jansen, as well as [Tsepo] Ntuli and [Mthiwekhaya] Nabe adds a lot of excitement and their own unique style to the team.”
Nortje also paid tribute to his former teammates, saying he enjoyed being part of a breezy Warriors attack.
“Obviously it is a great loss [the likes of Lutho Sipamla, Sisanda] Magala] on the bowling front, as well as Andrew Birch [with his experience].
“I have enjoyed the last few seasons with the team.
“We were one of the quickest teams in SA from a bowling perspective.
“Playing at St George’s Park, you generally don’t see that too often but it is something we will be striving towards again,” Nortje said.
He believes the balance is still good.
“There is always a good vibe in the team and I think it will come down to how we gel as a team.
“[Previously] there weren’t many Proteas players coming from the Warriors, but recently we have had a number of players being called up.
“So, they have seen now that there are ways forward,” the former Brandwag High pupil said.
Nortje has worn the green and gold on 16 occasions across all three formats, picking up 35 wickets in the process.
On his own bowling and how it has improved in recent months, Nortje said being able to work with Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt had been beneficial.
“He has been great and so helpful to me and all the bowlers in the squad. He has done quite a lot for me and my game, without changing too much, if anything.
“It’s really nice to have that experience and to be able to call him up to ask his opinion on certain things related to the game and ways of improving.
“He understands that everyone’s action is different,” Nortje said.