South African all-rounder Chris Morris was not in the plan for the 15-man squad owing to the 2019 World Cup. But the unfortunate hand-injury of fast-bowler Anrich Nortje has paved the way for Morris in the World Cup squad.
Nortje has nursed the right thumb fracture during practising session in Port Elizabeth. Meanwhile, he is said to take a maximum of eight weeks to make a comeback.
Chris Morris feels for Nortje:
Also, Morris has expressed sympathy with unlucky Norjte. Morris had last featured in the ODI game in February 2018.
“To be honest, it’s bittersweet. I just feel broken for Anrich (Nortjé). In a way, you feel bad, because of the way he’s bowled, the pace, and for his World Cup dreams to be ended like this is just horrible,” Morris in his interview to the Independent Online.
However, Morris has a lot on his shoulders before proving his credentials at the World Cup. The marquee event will commence from May 30 in London.
The 32-year-old Pretoria-born Morris revealed he didn’t felt sad even after finding his name in first 15 of the Proteas’ provisional squad.
“When they named the squad (on April 18, 2019), I wasn’t disappointed or feel let down, the writing was on the wall for me already,” Morris said.
As soon as the news broke out regarding Morris’s introduction in the squad, he has received congratulatory messages. He added things were clear that he wasn’t into plans for the twelfth edition of the IPL some four months ago.
“I got a lot of messages on the day the squad was announced with people telling me I was unlucky, but I didn’t see it that way; I hadn’t played an ODI for more than a year, it was clear I wasn’t in the plans. I’d got over my disappointment about the World Cup in January already,” Morris maintained.
Chris Morris was not in the 2019 World Cup plan:
The lanky pacer Morris, who already met the selectors of Cricket South Africa (CSA), to clarify their position regarding the forthcoming World Cup, revealed he was a bit dejected what I was told.
However, known for seeing the brighter side of things, Morris has further partaken in the Titans’ domestic campaign.
“I wanted clarity and they were very honest. I was quite disappointed with what was said, and I certainly didn’t see it that way. But I was glad we had that chat, I didn’t want the World Cup to hang over me all season, and it freed me up to give my best for the Titans,” Morris added.
Meanwhile, Morris will join the World Cup-bound team on May 13 (Monday)