Shukri Conrad not worried about the 'why' as speedster Anrich Nortje returns to Proteas fold

The Proteas are fast becoming an Old Boys Club that has a reunion dinner ahead of every tour to welcome back a long lost member.

Last month it was Quinton de Kock that made a sensational comeback in Pakistan, and now Anrich Nortje is back in the Proteas fold after being named in the T20I squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India. 

Both De Kock and Nortje had not played for the Proteas since last year’s T20 World Cup final defeat to India in Barbados. 

Nortje’s belated return to international cricket has been more fitness related though as a fractured toe ruled him out of the home T20Is against Pakistan before a back injury sidelined him from the Champions Trophy earlier this year. 

The 32-year-old speedster was not considered for T20I series in Zimbabwe and was forced to miss the MLC due to "stress reaction". This limited him to just two IPL matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders for the entire year until he signed a short-term deal to play for the Dolphins in the on-going CSA T20 Challenge. 

Nortje has bristled in for the Dolphins, playing six matches on the bounce, whilst claiming eight wickets. Crucially, he has shown no signs of the injuries that have plagued him over the past 12 months. 

“We've been in constant conversation, myself and Anrich. And Anrich, through Piet Botha to myself, who is a mentor to Anna. So we've been keeping tabs in terms of where he's at. And we spoke as recently as last week,” Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said.

“Albie Morkel has also been keeping tabs as well on him as a T20 consultant for us. His form is good. His pace is up by all accounts.

“And especially now that KG (Rabada) is out of the white-ball series. Great opportunity for Anna. Wonderful to have his experience in the group.”

There certainly has been a turnaround in recent times among a group of experienced South Africa players showing an interest to be reintegrated into the national team fold. In the Test arena, off-spinner Simon Harmer has also made a successful comeback after a spell in the international wilderness. 

The Proteas’ most experienced T20 player David Miller - 127 caps - is also back for the three-match T20I series against India. Miller has also not played any international cricket since the Champions Trophy back in March. 

Conrad is not too fussed about the reasons behind all the returnees, but does believe they can all still call a great deal of value to the Proteas team.  

“Whatever their drivers are, I'm actually not interested as long as they perform,” he said bluntly. 

“And I know that sounds terrible. But I'd like to think the fact that we've turned the corner in many respects. By all accounts, it's a really good group to be a part of. Exciting talent. There's a World Cup coming up.

“And there's a World Cup back home in a couple of years' time. So, all of those things might be some of the carrots that are being dangled. 

“So yeah, if the guys tell me they want to play for South Africa. Two questions I ask. Are they the type of guys we want in our setup? Are they good guys like that? Do they enhance the setup? And then secondly, do they improve our team? And if the answer is yes to both of that, well, then they're back in.”

Proteas T20I squad against India

Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.

Proteas ODI squad against India

Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen.

ODI Series

 1st ODI - Sunday, 30 November

India vs South Africa - JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi

2nd ODI - Wednesday, 3 December

India vs South Africa - Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur

 3rd ODI - Saturday, 6 December at 13:30

India vs South Africa - Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

 T20I Series 

 1st T20I - Tuesday, 9 December

India vs South Africa - Barabati Stadium, Cuttack

 2nd T20I - Thursday, 11 December

India vs South Africa - New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh

 3rd T20I - Sunday, 14 December

India vs South Africa - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

 4th T20I - Wednesday, 17 December

India vs South Africa - Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

 5th T20I - Friday, 19 December

India vs South Africa - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad