The International Cricket Council (ICC) is delighted to announce South African speedster Anrich Nortje as the event ambassador for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2024 in South Africa, with just four days to go until the U19 global showpiece begins.
With 144 wickets in 72 matches across all three formats, the blistering right-arm pacer, who debuted for the Proteas back in 2019, is one of the most effective and fearsome bowlers in international cricket today.
A product of Eastern Province U19s and South African Schools cricket, thirty-year-old Nortje has gone on to represent South Africa at two ICC Men’s T20 World Cups (2021 and 2022), and will play an active role at the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, lending expert support and guidance to the most exciting young cricketers on the planet.
As well as aiding the development of the future stars of the sport, Nortje will share insights and reflections as the action unfolds through a series of columns, and attend key fixtures, including the hosts’ tournament opener this Friday 19 January in Potchefstroom.
Anrich Nortje said: “I am excited to be playing a part in the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 as the event ambassador.
“The event has historically been the perfect springboard for future stars to announce themselves on the world stage, and I am excited to be close to the action as the next generation of greats rise to the top in this year’s competition. I have played with, and against, many of world’s best that made their first steps here, and its legacy it unquestionable.
“I would encourage fans to come along and enjoy the action, so that they too can say they were there to witness the next generation of superstars emerge at the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
“With free entry to all 41 matches across the five host venues, I hope to see strong support for the event when it starts on 19 January.
“To the players, I would like to welcome them to South Africa and wish them the very best of luck as the tournament progresses.”
Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, said: “We are pleased to have one of South Africa’s biggest cricketers as the event ambassador for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2024.
“Anrich is a fan favourite around the globe and is a role model for youngsters everywhere and we look forward to witnessing the unearthing of the future stars of cricket with him.”
The 15th edition of the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup will begin on 19 January with hosts South Africa taking on West Indies in Potchefstroom and Ireland going up against the USA in Bloemfontein.
The Happy Jock
Sport Trivia: Who played against South Africa in their first official One Day International in 1991/92? Answer: India – South Africa\’s return to International Cricket saw them tour India in the 1991/92 season. The official tour consisted of 3 ODI\’s against India which were the first ever official ODIs played by South Africa. The result of the tour was a series win by India 2-1.
Steel
England is the first country to play 1,000 Test matches. They reached this milestone at Edgbaston in Birmingham in August 2018 against India. England won the series 4-1.