IND vs AUS: Australian Speedster Lance Morris Planning To Play His First Test Against India

Published - 20 Jan 2023, 06:35 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

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Uncapped Australian bowler Lance Morris thinks he seems to have the “best chance” to make his Test debut versus India on February 9 in Nagpur after topping the season in wickets taken in the Sheffield Shield.

The 24-year-old dashing bowler, who can hurl balls at speeds of more than 150 kph, is one of the 18 players named to Australia’s team for the first two Tests of the prestigious four-match Border-Gavaskar series.

My Best Chance Of Playing In India: Lance Morris

“I’m going to do everything I can to be as ready as possible,” the West Australian was quoted saying by Fox Sports.

Mitchell Starc, Australia’s fastest bowler, will not be available for the first Test of the series, giving Morris a good chance to don the Baggy Green. Morris has served as Starc’s backup and was a member of Australia’s Test team during their most recent series victory over South Africa.

“If we’re talking honestly, that’s probably my best chance of playing over there. We’ll see what happens,” Morris said.

“It’s my first overseas tour in a cricketing sense, so it will be a huge learning experience for me. I’m really excited to go away.”

Morris, a raw adolescent from Dunsborough in the scenic Margaret River region of Australia’s west coast, approximately three hours from Perth, was selected by Western Australia, where he earned his first-class debut in 2020.

In his first year, he took 12 wickets from five games. After that, he participated in every game of Western Australia’s drought-breaking Shield title defense last summer and claimed 20 victims. From his first five games of the season, Morris has added 27 more wickets to his total.

I Am Probably That Replacement For Someone Like Mitchell Starc: Lance Morris

Lance Morris, who has improved his bowling technique with assistance from Matt Mason, a former bowling coach for Western Australia, had earlier stated that he is still processing everything.

“They see me as a strike bowler and I’m probably that replacement for someone like Mitchell Starc who’s bowling fast and intimidating,” he told cricket.com.au.

“It sounds funny when I say it like that, because I can’t believe we’re actually in the same sentence to be honest. But that’s the role that I would come into (if Starc were to miss a Test), I guess. It’s been a bit of a weird couple of weeks training and staying as ready as possible, knowing that it could happen at some point,” he added.

Morris is balancing playing red and white ball cricket for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League right now.

“It’s just trying to squeeze in loads where I can,” Morris, who has grabbed six wickets in three games so far, said.

“If I’m playing, then I’ll bowl the four overs and get a few in on top either before or after the game. If I’m on the sidelines, then I’ll be in the nets making sure I’ve got the numbers under my belt,” he added.

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