While South Africa featured in only 18 Tests between 2019-2021, the number of Tests played by the Big Three was way higher. England played the most number of Tests with 36, with India and Australia playing 26 and 20, respectively.
Speaking to Sportsmail, Nortje said the current generation of South African cricketers will not get a chance to replicate their predecessors’ legacy if they play fewer Tests. The right-arm seamer thus demands more Tests to attain the number one ranking across formats. He said:
Despite 2020 being disrupted by the pandemic, the English team played eight Tests. Meanwhile, the Proteas have already played five Tests this year, winning all of them. They have five more lined up this year, with three against England and two against Australia.
“The players themselves are really excited and want to play Test cricket” - Anrich Nortje
Ahead of the three-match series against England, Nortje said the Proteas are raring to go and keen to play the Tests as it remains ’the ultimate format’. He continued:
Dean Elgar & co. are at the top of the ICC World Test Championship points table, with five victories and two defeats. Nortje, who hasn’t played a Test since June 2021, remains a strong contender to feature in the series-opener on Wednesday at Lord’s.
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