Nortje made a welcome return to kind as he recorded outstanding figures of 4-7 in 4 overs – the most effective by a Proteas bowler at a T20 World Cup – as Sri Lanka may solely muster a complete of 77 all out, their lowest in T20 internationals.
The Proteas then had a number of shaky moments within the run-chase, shedding 4 wickets on what was a troublesome pitch within the first-ever T20 worldwide performed on the venue.
Nortje was out of the sport for six months as a result of a stress fracture and had initially struggled for kind within the Indian Premier League (IPL) within the build-up to the worldwide event.
The paceman mentioned on the post-match presentation: “It’s been some time since I’ve had these figures. Simply glad to have pulled it off for the staff.
“We didn’t know what to anticipate from the pitch, we’d heard one or two rumours about being up and down.
“There have been in all probability a number of balls that I wished a bit of bit otherwise, they weren’t 100% executed, however yeah, very glad to get the outcomes.
“I feel the most important factor is simply to get the outcomes for the staff, it’s not about private performances. To get a career-best is sweet, however it doesn’t actually matter on the finish of the day until the staff is profitable. So, I’m very glad for the staff as nicely. I feel each bowler bowled rather well.”
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The quick bowler additionally defended the floor on the Nassau County Worldwide Cricket Stadium after it was instructed that the low-scoring match was not a good contest between bat and ball.
The Proteas nonetheless have two matches in New York, in opposition to Netherlands and Bangladesh, earlier than transferring to the West Indies for the rest of the competitors.
“It doesn’t all the time imply, right me if I’m mistaken, there must be 20 sixes in a recreation to make it entertaining,” Nortje mentioned on the post-match press convention.
“There’s nonetheless a whole lot of technique that goes into the sport. There’s a whole lot of ability that goes into the sport, whether or not it’s sixes or quick bowlers or spinners, nevertheless it could be.
“So, I assumed the sport was sensible. It was nonetheless a detailed recreation on the finish of the day, one other wicket or two, and issues may need been completely different. We’d have been in a bit of bit extra hassle.”
He added: “It’s nice to be in New York. It’s nice to be enjoying cricket within the US and…we’re excited for what’s to come back. We’ve loved the amenities; we’ve loved the type of getting round and exploring as nicely. So, yeah, it’s sensible and we’re having fun with it.”
