New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) Anrich Nortje is optimistic that the last two months have provided him with an ideal opportunity to secure a spot in South Africa's T20 World Cup squad, which will be revealed next week. This comes as the fast bowler makes a significant return following a prolonged period of injuries.

Nortje kicked off the SA20 season with a bang for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, dismantling the Paarl Royals with impressive figures of 4 for 13, leading to a record low tournament total of 49 for the Royals. This performance marked his best T20 results since last year’s World Cup and his first involvement in South Africa’s franchise league since its inaugural season.

Due to back issues, he was unable to participate in the second and third editions, and injuries have restricted him to just two international appearances in the past 18 months.

Even after opting out of a central contract with Cricket South Africa, Nortje remains eligible for national selection and is firmly in the running for the global tournament.

"I hope to be selected, but for now, my focus is on building my performance, taking it game by game and day by day. I had a solid preparation starting with the CSA T20 Challenge and then received a call-up for the India series. I would describe it as the perfect buildup. Moving forward, my aim is to apply what I’ve learned and keep the momentum, focus, and clarity of mind. Reflecting on my progress from a few months ago to now, I’d definitely refer to it as an ideal buildup," Nortje expressed in a statement to ESPNCricinfo after Eastern Cape's opening victory in Paarl.

The schedule of the SA20 will test Nortje’s endurance, with a potential five matches in 10 days initially and possibly up to 13 in a month if Eastern Cape advances to the playoffs. Given his recent history, including missing the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, this workload could raise concerns. Nevertheless, Nortje remains unfazed by potential setbacks.

"You need to have faith in your body and not dwell on potential issues. I trust my body implicitly; if something goes awry, it's usually too late to address it. Generally, I have faith in my body… When sidelined by injury, I’m driven to return even stronger and build upon my past experiences," he elaborated.

Progress was evident even prior to the SA20, as Nortje finished joint fourth in wicket-takers during the CSA T20 Challenge and played in two matches during South Africa’s recent T20I series in India, where his speed and accuracy improved steadily, even though he did not take any wickets. In Paarl, he seemed to regain his form, effectively utilizing the short ball on a slow and uneven pitch, showcasing his complete skill set.

As his confidence grows, Nortje is also open to pursuing international opportunities beyond T20 cricket. He hasn't participated in an ODI for over two years or a Test match since early 2023, but he is eager to contribute in longer formats once again.

"It’s well-known that I was slated to play against Pakistan in Test matches last year, so the possibility is certainly still on the table. I would love to return to Test cricket as it's been quite a while, but time will tell," he remarked.

For now, Nortje's attention is firmly on the shortest format, with the SA20, T20 World Cup, and a return to the IPL with the Lucknow Super Giants set to create a busy few months ahead.