Being confined to his home in South Africa while the COVID-19 lockdown was at its strictest, pacer Anrich Nortje said he felt as if he is locked up in some prison. 

Hence, the feeling was equally delightful when he hit the nets after a long while on Sunday (August 30) for Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in UAE, starting September 19. 

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The tall, right-arm quick replaced Chris Woakes in the Delhi set-up and is excited for the tournament, having had a fruitful first session. 

"It's good to be out and on the grass, and not on the balcony. I can't explain, but it feels like I've been locked up in prison for some days, so it's great to be outside," Nortje was quoted as saying in a media release.

"I tried to take it easy on the first day. It will be more intense slowly but surely over the next few days. But it was so great to be bowling in an actual square."

Nortje, who has played six Tests, seven ODIs and three T20Is for South Africa, said he wasn't expecting to play the IPL this year. 

"It's a bit surreal to be out here, and with the Delhi Capitals. I was a late replacement, and till the time I sat on the plane I wasn't sure if things were really happening," said the 28-year-old, who was with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season but couldn't play due to a shoulder injury. 

The Capitals would boast of a threatening new-ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Nortje if the latter features in their first-choice XI, something he is very excited for. 

"I look forward to bowling with KG (Kagiso Rabada) when he gets here, and I hope that makes us a potent bowling side."

"We've definitely got the pace. It will be interesting to see how the wickets play, but I'm sure all captains would want a couple of quicks in their side to make their job a little bit easier," Nortje concluded. 

(Inputs from PTI)