(Cricket news) Anrich Nortje has been the top speedster for Delhi Capitals since last year. He took 22 wickets last year finishing the second best as Kagiso Rabada finished on top with 30 scalps. He has been economical in the three matches played in the second phase of the league, he joined Delhi Capitals in UAE and will play an important part in the final three matches.

Delhi Capitals have played 11 matches with 8 victories and are in second place with 16 points. The team has had the batsmen playing their role and the bowlers especially the pacers doing a splendid job. They have the trio of Anrich, Avesh Khan and Rabada who can dislodge the bails of any top order batsmen with their pace.

Anrich has been fast and has kept the batsmen in the defense so far. He struck in the third ball of his first match as David Warner kept looking here and there after edging one towards Axar Patel, Nortje struck again as Kedar Jadhav couldn’t get to the ball and it hit the pads as Sunrisers Hyderabad crumbled under the bowling performance of Delhi. 

Anrich conceded 12 runs in his four overs that included 14 dot balls and two wickets against Sunrisers. In the second match in UAE, Anrich again struck in his first over as Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught by wicket keeper RIshabh Pant and then Rahul Tewatia tried to clear a short ball over the boundary when he was caught by Shimron Hetmyer at the ropes. 

Anrich this time gave away 18 runs in his spell which had 12 dot balls and two wickets. In the third match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Anrich bowled 14 balls and gave away 15 runs while taking the wicket of Sunil Narine. Nortje has consistently bowled in the range of 145 – 151 km/ hour which makes the batsmen difficult to read and score. His shortballs have deceived the batsmen as they are unable to hit it outside the ropes and have succumbed to his pace.

Anrich has been selected by the South African team for the upcoming T20 World Cup and will use his speed to beat the batters. His late inclusion in the team is a boon as the pitches in UAE are bowler friendly and the pacers have dominated the wicket taking skill in IPL, even though the orange cap is not the target for Anrich he will certainly have an impact in every match he bowls.

Anrich has got the wickets of two openers in the first two games and the Warner wicket in the first game was a huge haul for the team. Anrich has been providing early breakthroughs and like last year he will be one of the top bowlers in the league. Delhi Capitals have three more matches and with a defeat in the last game against Kolkata they will aim for a top place finish ahead of Chennai Super Kings. 

Also read: Delhi Capitals looking at a safe passage into the playoffs in Indian Premier League