Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje admits 'goosebumps' at Test return against Australia

Nortje has not played a Test since facing the West Indies in Centurion in March 2023, but the 32-year-old has continued working towards a return to the longest format despite spending much of the intervening period as a white-ball specialist.

He is now part of South Africa's 18-man squad for the three-Test series against Australia, which begins in Durban on October 9, and has been deliberately preparing for red-ball cricket for some time.

"My prep from quite some time back has been red-ball," Nortje said.

"It's been quite a bit of a focus for me to try and execute skills with the red ball, to build loads gradually - and in the right way - and to try and get the overs up."

The fast bowler has worked closely with national bowling coach Piet Botha while also taking a more hands-on approach to analysing his own action.

Nortje has regularly filmed himself bowling to identify areas where he can become stronger, more sustainable and more reliable, with alignment and the repeatability of his action among the areas he has targeted.

"There's been quite some effort put in to try and improve from where I left off," he said.

"There were one or two things that were lacking that I wanted to improve."

That work has been particularly important given Nortje's injury history. Back stress fractures have previously disrupted his career, while his ability to consistently bowl beyond 145kph has placed considerable physical demands on his body.

His lengthy absence from first-class cricket means the upcoming intra-squad match will provide an important opportunity to assess his readiness for the demands of Test bowling.

Nortje has not played a first-class match since his last Test and has rarely bowled more than a handful of overs in recent years, making the return to sustained red-ball workloads a significant challenge.

Yet it is precisely that challenge which continues to motivate him.

"You don't think of the tough times in T20 cricket. You just think about executing skills there, whereas in Tests, you think about the tough times, the good times, the hard work and think that gets you through some sessions," Nortje said.

"I'll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again. Growing up, it's the format you want to play. It's the motivation when you train."

Nortje said simply having the cap with him again had already carried some significance.

"I'm actually getting goosebumps," he said.

"I think it's something really special. I've seen that cap lay in the house quite a bit over the years.

"I'm definitely very excited if I can put it on. That would be obviously number one."

His potential return comes at an opportune time for South Africa, who have suffered a series of injuries among their pace-bowling options.

Kagiso Rabada is being monitored after picking up a hamstring concern, while Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman are unavailable for the series.

Nortje therefore has a realistic opportunity to force his way into the XI, although his workload and fitness will be assessed during the two-day intra-squad match before the final squad is selected.

The series also offers Nortje a chance to revisit an unhappy chapter in his Test career.

His only Test series against Australia came during South Africa's 2022-23 tour, when the hosts won 2-0 and Nortje took seven wickets across the three matches.

The fast bowler believes facing Australia on home soil gives him additional motivation after that experience.

"Personally, we always said we want to try and rectify things when we get them back home," Nortje said.

"It was a tough series. I enjoyed the series, and learned a lot from it, but we wanted to get them in South Africa and do well. That's what's in my head."

He expects the stature of the opposition to bring an added edge to the contest.

"There's just that little bit of extra X-factor that comes out or fire that comes out, and energy that comes out," he said.

"Guys want to do well, and everyone wants to perform. It is a big series."

Nortje would also be returning to a South African Test side that has developed significantly during his absence.

Under Shukri Conrad, the Proteas have become the reigning World Test Championship holders, having beaten Australia in last year's final at Lord's.

Nortje has been impressed by the progress from afar and is eager to contribute rather than simply reclaim his old role.

"The way the team's progressed over the last few years has been amazing under coach Shuks," he said.

"It's been really good, the way they've played and the way they've gone about things. Hopefully, I can just add 1 percent, 2 percent whatever it might be to help the team."

After years of white-ball cricket and a lengthy spell away from the Test environment, Nortje now has the chance to turn that preparation into a return to the format he has always wanted to play.

"I'm very, very keen to get going and be on the park, and try to do well for the country," he said. 

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