IPL 2022: Anrich Nortje Is 4-5 Spells Away From Being Match Ready, Says Delhi Capitals Coach Ricky Ponting

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting feels South African pacer Anrich Nortje is just a couple of spells away from being match ready and expressed optimism over his availability for their next IPL game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 7. Nortje has been out of competitive cricket since last November's T20 World Cup due to a back and hip injury.

"Nortje bowled 100 per cent this morning (Saturday) in the warm-ups. He has to get through another maybe four or five-over spell at 100 per cent capacity and then I think if he gets clearance from Cricket South Africa, he should be right to go.

"We have got a few more days before our next game, so hopefully he is available for selection for that one," Ponting said at the virtual post-match press conference after losing by 14 runs against Gujarat Titans on Saturday night.

Asked about the availability of Australian duo of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, who is nursing a hip injury, Ponting said: "David Warner has arrived in Mumbai. He left early yesterday morning I believe, so he should be there when we get back to Mumbai tonight.

"Mitchell Marsh has been in Mumbai for a few days, obviously getting his quarantine done. I think he might be out of quarantine tomorrow actually," he said.

"We are hoping that he (Marsh) is going to be available for the game on 10th (against Kolkata Knight Riders). He picked up that slight hip flexor strain in Pakistan. So we need to get a lot of treatment work into him and obviously a few good training sessions before he is available for selection.

"But fingers crossed, Davey should be there for the next game and Mitch Marsh for the game after." DC coach said the 172-run target was a chaseable one but early wickets hurt their cause against