In-form Anrich Nortje was expensive in the high voltage T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash between England and South Africa but managed to achieve a personal milestone. With the solitary wicket of Harry Brook, Nortje became South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cups breaking former pacer Dale Steyn’s record.
Nortje also broke England off-spinner Graeme Swann's record in T20 World Cups. This was the 16th consecutive T20 World Cup match where Nortje has taken at least one wicket. Swann did it for the English side from 2009 to 2012 editions of T20 World Cups.
Nortje has 31 wickets from 16 games at an average of 10.96 and an economy rate of 5.58 runs per over. Steyn held the previous record. Steyn has 30 wickets from 23 games at an average of 19.30.
Nortje is also among the leading wicket-takers in the ongoing tournament. He is third on the list with 11 wickets from six games.
Nortje to move up in the list
Overall, Nortje is 13th on the list of leading wicket-takers in T20 World Cups. The 30-year-old is likely to move up in the list as the tournament progresses. He has a chance to break into the top five as well. The top spot is occupied by Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who has 49 wickets from 41 games.
No wicket in first three overs
Defending a target of 164 at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia, skipper Aiden Markram introduced Nortje in the eighth over of the innings. He conceded seven runs against Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler. He was brought back to bowl in the 12th over. Liam Livingstone hit him for his first boundary of the innings. Nortje's third over turned out to be expensive as he conceded 13 runs. Brook hit him for two fours in the over.
Nortje’s final over
In the final over, he had the last laugh against Brook. He was tasked with defending 14 runs, thanks to Marco Jansen's perfect penultimate over. He started the final over with the slower ball to get rid of Brook who scored 53 runs from 37 balls. In the next five deliveries, he bowled two dots and conceded just six runs including a boundary off Sam Curran's bat. South Africa beat England by seven runs and strengthened their chances of reaching the semifinal.
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