NORTJE MAKES RETURN AS DOMESTIC T20 CHALLENGE GETS UNDERWAY

There was a welcome return to cricket for Proteas and Pretoria Capitals speedster Anrich Nortje as the CSA T20 Challenge got underway over the weekend across South Africa.

Nortje, who claimed 20 wickets during Betway SA20 Season 1 (the joint-highest), last played on 9 September 2023 in a one-day international for South Africa against Australia before suffering a back injury. The 30-year-old was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup in India, and had not recovered enough to take his place in the Capitals’ squad for the second season of South Africa’s premier T20 League.

Nortje, though, has recovered in time to take his place in the Gqeberha-based Warriors squad for the domestic T20 tournament and will be available to them until joining up with Delhi Capitals for the Indian Premier League.

Nortje (who produced a miserly 0/12 as the Warriors beat the Tuskers from KwaZulu-Natal Inland) was among a number of SA20-signed stars who shone during the first two rounds of action. Here’s a round-up of the best performances.

BEST PERFORMING SA20 STARS

Marco Jansen - Warriors (4/19 vs Tuskers)

Ryan Rickelton - Lions (75 off 39 vs Rocks)

Rassie van der Dussen - Lions (42* off 22 vs Rocks)

Hardus Viljoen - Rocks (3/45 vs Lions)

Kwena Maphaka - Lions (3/22 vs Rocks)

Aiden Markram - Titans (40 off 30 vs North West Dragons)

Migael Pretorius - North West Dragons (3/18 vs Titans)

Junior Dala - Titans (3/30 vs North West Dragons)

Tabraiz Shamsi - Titans (3/18 vs North West Dragons and 4/23 vs Rocks)

Reeza Hendricks - Lions (57* off 30 vs North West Dragons)