Anrich Nortje on ICC U19's World Cup and seeing cricket's future stars
Anrich Nortje on ICC U19's World Cup and seeing cricket's future stars
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00:00 What a beautiful opportunity to inspire and encourage the future stars of this
00:05 Under-19 World Cup. How much did you enjoy that?
00:09 Definitely great to be here, great to be a part of it. It's awesome to see the guys and everyone before the chaos starts.
00:17 Obviously it's just nice to interact with them. I'm sure they are really excited to get going and showcase all their talent.
00:26 Hopefully they listen, don't have much to say besides keep it basic.
00:32 I think in general it's great to interact with them and see the excitement and guys are ready to go.
00:38 Tell us a bit about the advice that you were able to give to them. I heard some grooming advice.
00:54 You asked about the stash.
00:57 The stash has been there for a good few years. He's only started to shave last year so he's got some time to catch up.
01:06 I think in general it's obviously a great opportunity for the youngsters.
01:11 They are the future, each country, everyone is going to try and get their hands on them after this.
01:17 They are the future. Hopefully they can take in as much as possible, for them to be a school common collective.
01:25 Just enjoy every moment. They've done all the hard work, all the training, all the years they've put in.
01:31 This is just to showcase all their talents. It's not the be all and end all.
01:35 Probably the biggest thing or the first thing I wrote down is that I never made it and never got the opportunity to play as U19.
01:43 But eventually as you grow older it's not always going to be right after school where you're going to make it.
01:48 Into the national side or franchise side. As much as you want to, don't get disappointed afterwards.
01:55 Just keep on working hard, stay motivated.
01:58 You are a person and a player. You know a thing or two about pressure when performing on a global stage.
02:05 I heard you mention something about keeping out the noise. Do you have any advice on how to do that?
02:11 It's really hard but I think generally the thing that's worked for me, obviously there's always going to be the first ball,
02:17 the first ball you face, the first ball you bowl.
02:20 But once you get going it's going to be, most probably going to be loud.
02:24 There's going to be a lot of advice, there's going to be a lot of social media, there's going to be a lot of everything.
02:28 So it's almost to switch off everything. Not to be disturbed about what people are saying on Twitter or on X
02:35 or on this platform or that platform or too many noises from outside.
02:39 That's basically I think the noise that you cover.
02:42 There is a noise at the stadium as well but that's not really it at the end of the day.
02:45 It's more about what's going on during games and just to switch off, focus on what you have to do.
02:50 The big thing for me is just do the basics. Try and hit top of the fourth, bowl a bounce.
02:55 So that's my type of thing. It's different for everyone but just try and keep it as basic as possible.
03:00 This ACC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, it is such a powerful platform and a stepping stone for these future stars.
03:10 What do you think of it as a tournament and how important it can be to a player?
03:14 Definitely. It's probably the biggest platform for them that they've ever been to
03:18 and it's probably the biggest platform there is to make a step into the next phase or the next level.
03:23 So it's brilliant, it's exciting to have it here in South Africa.
03:27 They're going to have a great time and it's just really exciting to see.
03:31 Like I said earlier, everyone's going to try and get their hands on them after this.
03:35 I'm hoping they have fun, I'm hoping they're going to play the way they've been playing.
03:40 They don't have to worry about doing too much differently. They've done it their whole lives.
03:43 So it's really exciting and I can't wait for it.
03:46 You mentioned the timing of a career. I mean, 24 years old for you, 19 or 18, 4.
03:54 Maybe you're improving only later, maybe you're only growing into a bowler.
03:58 But at a later stage, maybe things only click later on.
04:01 A lot of the time people get discouraged after not making it to the U19 team or the provincial team.
04:08 So it's almost just to keep on. A big thing for me is I think dreaming.
04:12 Obviously staying positive, but for me dreaming, seeing yourself in that position,
04:16 seeing yourself bowling the final over or trying to hit a Yorker against a good player, Chris Gale,
04:23 whoever it might be. So trying to put yourself in those moments and then obviously taking it step by step,
04:28 trying to grow into that role, into that position.
04:31 It's not going to happen for everyone, but I think to try and stay as positive as possible
04:35 is going to give you the best opportunity.
04:37 Yeah, it's great if you can make it under 18, under 19 and you make it into the provincial side, brilliant.
04:42 Not everyone's going to make it. There's only one or two per country who makes it at that stage.
04:48 It's just about hard work at the end of the day and the dedication.
04:52 Lots of these players have had a similar background, playing in the backyard.
04:56 If you had to hear advice at this stage of your career when you were a teenager,
05:03 what would you have wanted to hear? What is your final message to all of the players in this tournament?
05:09 I think the biggest thing for me, like I said earlier, is to stay positive, work really hard,
05:16 try and enjoy every moment that the guys are here. Take in as much as they can.
05:22 It's a brilliant opportunity. It's the biggest platform. It's great people around you.
05:28 Millions are going to be watching. Have fun, take in every moment and just enjoy the game.
05:34 And let's find the next Andre Knok, yeah?
05:37 Thank you guys so much.