Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels South African pacer Anrich Nortje is just a couple of spells away from being match ready and expressed optimism over his availability for their next IPL game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 7.
Nortje has been out of competitive cricket since last November’s T20 World Cup due to a back and hip injury.
“Nortje bowled 100% this morning (Saturday) in the warm-ups. He has to get through another maybe four or five-over spell at 100% capacity and then I think if he gets clearance from Cricket South Africa, he should be right to go.
“We have got a few more days before our next game, so hopefully he is available for selection for that one,” Ponting said at the virtual post-match press conference after losing by 14 runs against Gujarat Titans here on Saturday night.
DC coach said the 172-run target was a chaseable one but early wickets hurt their cause against the Titans.
Chasing, DC were reduced to 34 for three inside five overs by Titans at the MCA Stadium.“On this wicket, on this ground, we thought it was a very, very chaseable total,” Ponting said.
