South African pacer Anrich Nortje is relieved to be outside training as he says it felt like he was in prison due to the whole lockdown and quarantine situation. Anrich Nortje had replaced England all-rounder in the Delhi capitals lineup after the latter pulled out of the IPL to keep himself fresh for International games.
According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) the players and the support staff need quarantine for six-days on reaching UAE and go through three COVID-19 tests resulting negative, only then can they begin their training. The Delhi capitals squad have finished their mandatory six-day quarantine and had started their training on Saturday.
“It feels like I’ve been locked up in prison for some days, so it’s great to be outside.”: Anrich Nortje
The South African pacer who will make his debut for DC this season tells he felt like he was locked up in prison and being back on the pitch to train is great. He took the initial training easy and says will increase his intensity slowly over the next few days. He was brought in the last moment when Chris Woakes backed out to play the IPL.
“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,” he 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,” said the right-arm fast bowler.
He was brought in the last moment when Chris Woakes backed out from playing in the IPL. Nortje tells it’s still surreal for him to be with the Delhi capitals as it happened so quick. He was in KKR’s squad the last term but didn’t get to play due to a shoulder injury.
“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,” added the 28-year-old.
Looking forward to playing with Kagiso Rabada: Anrich Nortje
The 28-year-old, Anrich Nortje was named Cricket South Africa’s Newcomer of the Year for 2020. He tells he is looking forward to partner with his countryman Kagiso Rabada. The pace duo would surely be a nuance for the opposition.
“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 IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10. The venue this time is UAE and matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah respectively.