Australia’s Dirk Nannes Rise to Twenty20 World Cup
His parents were Dutch Immigrants to Australia, he loved to ski during his younger years and was nearly selected to represent his country in the Winter Olympics, but Australia’s newest bowling sensation terms himself an accidental cricketer. His name is Dirk Nannes, and he was a nobody before last year.
Nannes appeared in several World Cup events before the Twenty20 World Cup, but that was for the Australian ski side. It was his failure to make it to the Winter Olympics that made him turn to cricket. By claiming 4-18 in Barbados against Bangladesh on Wednesday, he not only became the record holder of the best bowling figures by an Australian in Twenty20 Cricket, but even amazed himself.
This new Wizard of Oz might never have made it to the cricket field, let alone Twenty20 cricket. His decision to pursue cricket took him to a local park club where all he could do was bowl fast. It was there he was spotted by Victoria state officials who have nurtured him since then. He had an impressive first class career before he surprised his state as well as the cricket followers by retiring from first-class cricket this year, to focus on the short forms of the game and prolong his career.
The contribution he has so far made has been more than valuable for the Aussies. Born on 16 May, 1976, Nannes made his first class debut at the age of 29 in 2006 a time when people look to represent their country in Tests. He played here and there - including Twenty20 cricket for Nottinghamshire in England and for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, and before making it to the Australian squad, he represented the Netherlands in the second Twenty20 World Cup.
So what’s special about this cricketer from Netherlands? One, he is very fast and two, he was the reason why Glenn McGrath had to sit out of the second IPL because Nannes was bowling well, and the management couldn’t drop him for the veteran Aussie, due to the presence of 4-foreigners per side limit.
Nannes’ success story that can bring a Hollywood script to shame. It was in late 2008 that Nannes was selected to represent his parent’s home country in the ICC World Cup Qualifier. He opted for the Indian Premier League, instead of playing for the Netherlands side, but after impressive show, he was selected to represent the Dutch side.
He was, however, confident of representing Australia who didn’t need him in their side. Yet at this snub, Nannes confirmed his allegiance to the land of his parent's home country, and made his international debut for The Netherlands, and was part of the side that shocked England in the opening match of the event last year.
It was his performance for the Dutch side that made the Australian selectors call him up to the Australian Twenty20 side, just a couple of months after making his international debut for the Netherlands. He made his ODI and Twenty20 debut for Australia in the same season, and then came the third Twenty20 World Cup. He not only became the most successful bowler of the event with 7 wickets but also destroyed the Pakistan batting with sheer pace, finishing with 3 wickets for 41 runs.
So far, Nannes has taken 7 wickets at an average of 8.42 to be the leading bowler in the tournament, and a rising star in the shortest version of the game. Just shy of his 34th birthday, he's still got a couple of seasons in him and one won’t be surprised if he manages to demolish renowned batsmen with his pace and dedication.
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