Anrich Nortje, the tearaway South African fast bowler, has admitted that he felt like he was ‘locked in prison’ for some days and he couldn’t be thankful for finally getting back on the grass.
Nortje, who replaced England all-rounder Chris Woakes in the Delhi Capitals squad, had his first training session on Sunday evening.
“It’s good to be out and on the grass, and not on the balcony. I can’t explain, but it feels like I’ve been locked up in prison for some days, so it’s great to be outside,” Anrich Nortje was quoted as saying in a media release.
“I tried to take it easy on the first day. It will be more intense slowly but surely over the next few days. But it was so great to be bowling in an actual square,” he added.
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“It’s a bit surreal to be out here”- Anrich Nortje on his late IPL call-up
Nortje, who made his Test debut against India last year, admitted that he didn’t believe that he will be playing in the IPL until he boarded his plane for the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s a bit surreal to be out here, and with the Delhi Capitals. I was a late replacement, and till the time I sat on the plane I wasn’t sure if things were really happening,” admitted the 28-year-old.
The right-hander was scheduled to make his debut for KKR last season before being ruled out of injury. Nortje is now looking forward to forging a successful fast bowling pair with compatriot Kagiso Rabada for DC in IPL 2020
”I look forward to bowling with KG (Kagiso Rabada) when he gets here, and I hope that makes us a potent bowling side. We’ve definitely got the pace. It will be interesting to see how the wickets play, but I’m sure all captains would want a couple of quicks in their side to make their job a little bit easier,” said Nortje.
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League will kickstart in the UAE from September 19.