Proteam pacer Anrich Nortje clocked a speed of 156.22 kmph against the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday (October 15). He also bowled at 155.21 and 154.74 respectively, the two other fastest deliveries in the IPL so far. He was a part of an enticing battle with Jos Buttler ad finally had the last laugh after he took his wicket. Delhi eventually won the game as well. After the game, Nortje had conversations with Shikhar Dhawan and R Ashwin on how did he bowl at such a menacing pace.
Nortje further added that he is eyeing to surpass Shoaib Akhtar‘s fastest delivery bowled ever in the history of cricket. He further said a little bit of a pacy wicket will probably help him achieve the record.
“Hopefully it’s something I’ve got in me and it’s definitely something I’ve wanted to do,” Nortje told his IPL team-mate R Ashwin on the latter’s YouTube channel.
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Anrich Nortje Eyeing to Break Shoaib Akhtar’s Record
The fastest delivery record (161.3km/h) is currently held by former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar during the 2003 World Cup match against England. It has been over 15 years since, but the record still remains intact.
Meanwhile, Delhi have one of the most potent pace attacks in the IPL with Kagiso Rabada and Nortje himself. Mumbai Indians boast of a good pace attack themselves with Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile forming a formidable Fab 4.
Nortje has picked up 12 wickets and alongside Rabada (19) has picked up 31 wickets together. Delhi are topping the table with 14 points from nine games and are almost certain to book a berth in the playoffs.
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting, however, believes that the second phase will be tougher than the first with the changing nature of the wickets.
“The pitches have noticeably started to slow down a little bit — I think even the RR game with them not managing to chase 160 on these grounds (proved that). I think what we all felt when we came here was that maybe for the first half of the tournament, chasing might have been easier because of the bit of dew and also because of the little bit of more grass on the wickets” said Ponting.
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