Full Name: Anrich Arno Nortje Date of Birth: November 16, 1993 Birthplace: Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa Role: Right-Arm Fast Bowler | Strike Bowler in All Formats Anrich Nortje is South Africa’s modern-day pace missile—raw, fiery, and relentless. One of the fastest bowlers on the planet, Nortje has quickly established himself as a genuine match-winner for the Proteas with his intimidating speed and tireless work ethic. Every time he steams in from his long run-up, fans can sense something explosive is about to happen. Born in Uitenhage, a small town in the Eastern Cape, Nortje’s path to international cricket wasn’t paved with immediate success. A product of humble beginnings, he honed his game playing for Eastern Province and then Warriors in domestic cricket. While injuries hampered his early years, he persevered with quiet determination and sheer hard work. His breakthrough came in the 2018 Mzansi Super League, where he consistently clocked speeds above 145 kph, catching the selectors’ eyes. Anrich made his international debut in 2019, first in ODIs and then in Tests and T20Is. He was a late call-up for the 2019 World Cup, where he showed flashes of brilliance, but it was in the years that followed that he truly became a spearhead in the South African pace attack. Career Highlights Include: - Clocked speeds over 150 kph consistently, even touching 156 kph during the IPL - Among the top wicket-takers in the 2021 T20 World Cup - Crucial part of South Africa’s Test and T20I resurgence from 2020–2023 - Key performer for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, forming a lethal duo with Kagiso Rabada - Known for bowling the fastest delivery in IPL history (156.22 kph) What sets Nortje apart is not just his pace but his discipline and stamina. Unlike many fast bowlers who burn out, Nortje sustains his speeds through long spells, often bowling marathon overs with undiminished intensity. His control, yorkers, and bouncers have earned him fear and respect across the cricketing world. Off the field, Nortje is soft-spoken, grounded, and focused on continuous improvement. Despite his rise to global recognition, he remains connected to his roots and credits his journey to perseverance and passion. With jersey number 74, Anrich Nortje embodies the new-age South African pacer—express speed, silent focus, and a relentless hunger to dismantle batting line-ups one thunderbolt at a time.