Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje is eager to perform at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth this week.

The stadium will host the third Test against England. It is the home ground of Nortje, who represents the Eastern Cape’s Warriors in franchise cricket.

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‘I’m really excited to be playing in Port Elizabeth. I’ve always been sitting on the grass embankments, watching the games. It’s really nice to be out here,’ Nortje was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

‘It’s a lot of hard work over the years, a lot of sacrifices, a lot of Decembers in South Africa that I’ve had to play cricket rather than go on holiday, so it’s nice to finally get that opportunity and I am really excited just to go out there and give it my best.’

The talented right-armer’s last outing here was during the Mzansi Super League in 2019. He took the key wicket of England batsman Jason Roy, but later proved expensive as the Cape Town Blitz fell to defeat by the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants.

‘The square is quite green, so it’s difficult to bang the ball in. It’s a nice vibe and atmosphere here, especially in the stands with the band. It’s one of the grounds where you feel like you are on the field. You don’t feel like you are too far back, so it feels like you’re in it,’ he added.

The four-Test series is locked at 1-1. South Africa won in Centurion, while England triumphed in Cape Town. Johannesburg will host the series decider later this month.

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