Anrich Nortje breaks silence on national team snub despite being match-ready

South African speedster Anrich Nortje stirred controversy with a candid revelation about his prolonged absence from national duty.

Speaking ahead of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, Nortje disclosed that despite being fully fit and available for selection over the past year, he has repeatedly been overlooked by the selectors.

In a conversation with Sportsboom, as quoted by Wisden, Nortje clarified that his continued exclusion was not due to injury or unavailability but rather the selectors’ choice to sideline him. “I have been available for the last year, from before the World Cup to December, and only got selected again in December to play,” he revealed. “There were a few series I was not picked for, mostly to give opportunities to others. So, from my side, I have been available to play for the country, but they have not pressed on my button.”

Nortje’s last outing for South Africa came during the ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024. Since then, while he has been included in national squads, he hasn’t featured in any matches. He was initially named in the Champions Trophy squad, but an untimely injury saw him replaced by Corbin Bosch.

Nortje’s comeback to the squad occurred during South Africa’s home series against Pakistan following the T20 World Cup. However, despite his exceptional performance in the tournament, where he claimed 15 wickets at a miserly economy of 5.74, finishing as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah, he did not make it into the playing XI.

Adding another layer to the selection saga, Nortje had declined a central contract from Cricket South Africa last year, a decision he said was mutually respected and primarily based on managing his fitness. “It was my decision. It was just to see how my body goes. I had not had a stress fracture since 2010, and I just had a little bit of `nervy` in the back, so I just wanted to take the time to play when I can, play when I know I am ready, rather than having to play every series or every whatever is coming up,” he explained.

Currently turning out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025, Nortje has featured in just one match this season. His international record remains impressive, with 70 wickets in 19 Tests, 36 in 22 ODIs, and 54 in 42 T20Is.

(With ANI inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day