Warriors young guns get nod from Nortje
Proteas fast bowler believes the team can deliver the goods
Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje says the young Warriors attack has what it takes to shake up opposition teams and that a fast start will be all-important this coming season.
The 26-year-old fast bowler says the key to the Warriors’ success will be how quickly they get out the blocks.
“How we start the season will be very important. 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 said.
Having not had much action with the Eastern Cape side last season because of his commitments with the Proteas, Nortje is quietly confident the Warriors will pose a threat in the new campaign, despite the team’s youthful makeup.
“I’d say in the last few seasons we have gone the younger route as opposed to having more experienced guys,” Nortje said.
“So it’s a trend we’ve been following and I think it has worked for us.”
The Warriors had lost some key players to retirement and moves to other parts of the country, but Nortje said the team had also been boosted the addition of some exciting young prospects.
“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 the 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 in the side 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.
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.