SA vs AUS, 2018: Morne Morkel forced to leave field after strain
Apr 14, 2018 at 4:28 PM
Morne Morkel has suffered a left-side strain on the third day of the fourth and the final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. They are in complete control of the match and are hoping to clinch the comprehensive series victory.
After bowling, two deliveries in the 13th over Morkel to the top of his bowling went back to captain Faf du Plessis.
Following a quick chat, he collected his cap and sunglasses from the umpire and headed back to the Proteas dressing room.
It is learnt that Morkel will look to push through the pain and come back and bowl at some stage of the ongoing match. This is the last time he is wearing a South Africa jersey.
The injury suffered by the tall fast bowler means South Africa might be reluctant to enforce the follow after making the visitors crumble at 96 for six on day two.
However, a brilliant 99-run partnership between skipper Tim Paine and Pat Cummins has defied the hosts. He went on to score his maiden Test half-century.
Despite Paine’s knock, South Africa are in the driver’s seat with victory in home soil cleary at sight against Australia for the first time since 1970.
Earlier in the match, the Proteas posted 488 runs in their first innings.
Ahead of the four-match Test series, Morkel announced that the Test series against Australia would be his last in international fixtures.
Bowler with the long levers, Morkel entered the series with 294 scalps to his name. He reached the elusive mark of 300 Test wickets at Newlands in Cape Town.
However, the prominent bowler Morne Morkel was under pressure after being dropped from the second Test in Port Elizabeth.
Morkel’s return was possible mainly due to the tie injury nursed by Lungisani Ngidi. He returned strongly and returned with the best match haul of 110 for nine.
In addition, it subsequently helped him to claim the Man of the Match Award.
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