South Africa’s express pacer Morne Morkel has always been a pillar of strength for the side in all forms of the game. As the Proteas take on England away from home, Morkel remains the side’s biggest asset in what is bound to be an extremely daunting series for the visitors. Having been thrashed mercilessly at Lord’s, the action now shifts to Nottingham, where a spicy deck awaits the Proteas.
During the Lord’s Test, however, Morne Morkel created an infamous and a dubious world record, of taking the most number of wickets on a no ball, with his sorry tally of 13. A day before the second Test commenced at Trent Bridge, the tall pacer opened up on his no ball woes, and what hindered him during his run up.
“A world record, thank you,” Morkel said about the dubious feat. “Somebody needs to hold it.” Adding to the minute details, he said, “The only thing I can do is keep on working on that; work on getting the foot behind the line. It’s a rush of blood to the head, wanting to create something with the older, softer ball. But I can’t make my run-up longer, I can’t make it shorter. I’m just going to stick with it.”
Morkel was quick to admit that his no balls in the previous Test did cost his side dearly.
“I need a lot of rhythm and timing is crucial for me. The more I’ve bowled in a Test match the better my timing and my feel at the crease was,” said Morkel. “Unfortunately I did bowl that no-ball and that’s the sort of thing you don’t want to give quality players like Joe Root and ‘Stokesy’ a life. You’re going to get punished for that.”
On the positive note though, Morkel concluded by mentioning that it was great to have skipper Faf du Plessis back in the ranks for the second Test.
“He was the chosen one to lead this team and he’s done so well,” said Morkel. “Obviously with the bat as well, he’s a guy that averages the high 40s and a guy that will lead from the front with the bat. So it’s great to have him back. As a team, we’re energised to have our leader back.”