His parents were Dutch immigrants to Australia; he loved to ski during his youth, was nearly selected to represent his country at the Winter Olympics – the name of this sports star is Dirk Nannes. Despite all these achievements, the Australian bowling sensation terms himself an 'accidental cricketer.'
Nannes appeared in several international sports events before the Twenty20 World Cup in West Indies. However, he represented the Australian ski side in international competitions around the world. Nannes failed to make it to the Winter Olympics team for Australia; that made him turn towards cricket. By claiming 4-18 in Barbados against Bangladesh on Wednesday, he now holds the best bowling figures by an Australian in T20 Cricket.
Terms the Australian Wizard of Oz, he might never have made it to the cricket field, let alone T20 cricket if he had failed in his original passion - skiing. His decision to pursue cricket took him to a local club where all he could do was bowl fast. It was at this club where he was spotted by Victoria State officials, who nurtured him into a fast bowler. He has had an impressive first class career in Australia as well. However, due to excessive cricket and packed calendars, Nannes decided to call it quits. It came as a big surprise for his fellows after he retired from first-class cricket this year in order to focus on the short form of the game and prolong his career.
The contribution he has so far in the international circuit 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. He played in many countries - playing T20 cricket for Nottinghamshire in England and for the Delhi Daredevils in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. However, before making it to the Australian squad, he represented the Netherlands in the second T20 World Cup in England.
So what is special about this cricketer from Netherlands? Firstly, he is a tall fast bowler with impeccable consistency in his line and length. Secondly, he was the reason why Glenn McGrath had to sit out of the second IPL because Nannes was bowling well, and the management could not drop him for the veteran Aussie. So essentially, Nannes has the skill to out do the very best in the business.
It was in late 2008 that Nannes was selected to represent his parent’s home country in the ICC World Cup qualifiers. He opted for the Indian Premier League, instead of playing for the Netherlands side. After an impressive show in India, he was selected to represent the Dutch cricket team in the T20 format of cricket in England.
He was, however, confident of representing Australia. Despite being dropped form the squad, Nannes confirmed his allegiance to Netherlands, and made his international debut for the Dutch team. He was part of the side that shocked England in the opening match of the event in England by defeating them comprehensively in 2009.
It was his performance for the Dutch side that made the Australian selectors call him up to the Australian T20 side once again, only 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. In the current T20 World Cup, he has become the most successful bowler of the event with a tally of 10 wickets.
His wickets have come at an average of 8.42 per over which is why cricket pundits believe he is sure to become a rising star in the shortest version of the game. Just shy of his 34th birthday, he still has a couple of seasons in him and one will not be surprised if he manages to demolish renowned batsmen with his pace and dedication.
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