South Africa’s Morne Morkel Asks For Options Before Change In Ball
Mar 27, 2017 at 5:45 PM
An unexpected ball change in 59th over dragged South Africa off the track from the third test match against New Zealand in Hamilton. Two on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker saw the ball not being in shape, so in the 59th over, they decided to change the ball.
Till that time the ball had become old and was helping South African bowlers in reverse swing. And when the new ball came into play, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson with Southpaw opener Jeet Raval took control of the game straightaway.
South African pacer Morne Morkel was unhappy about it and said it costs South Africa a lot, it took 15 overs for them to get back into the game. Though he credited both kiwi batsmen for their efforts to provide hosts a lead over South Africa in their second innings. Raval scored 88 runs while skipper Williamson scored yet another ton in the series.
“It was at a crucial stage. We had just got the ball to reverse. From a mental point of view, it costs us around 15 overs to get into the game. For me it’s a gray area because when they change the ball, they pick it for you. For me that doesn’t add up. I would rather they give fielding team a chance to pick from three balls.”
New Zealand skipper Williamson added another accolade to his name by becoming the fastest New Zealander to touch 5000 run-mark in Test cricket, and also equaled Martin Crowe record of scoring most number of centuries by a Kiwi batsman in Tests.