Graeme Smith, Quinton de Kock, Chris Morris
Graeme Smith/Getty Images

Former South African cricketer Graeme Smith is disappointed with the current performance of Quinton de Kock and Chris Morris. Quinton de Kock is not at his peak as he couldn’t deliver runs in the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Chris Morris currently played some franchise-based cricket where he was able to impress with the ball.

Both of these players are going to be instrumental in the success of their team. Thus, it is crucial for South Africa that they are at the top of their game in the forthcoming series against Australia.

Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, South Africa
Courtesy: Getty Images

Morris and de Kock need to step up.

Recently, our bowlers have done well,” Graeme Smith said while expressing the strength in the current South African team.

Moreover, Proteas paceman Dale Steyn is aging towards 36.  The South African team wants him badly as he is the most experienced member of the team.

Meanwhile, Graeme Smith is not impressed with the batting department. Smith also stated wicketkeeper-batsman de Kock’s career is “stagnating” after an excellent start when he slammed three centuries in a row before he had played 20 ODIs. He also lauded Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and wants Quinton de Kock to be like them in the top order.

“We hope to squeeze a few more years out of [Dale] Steyn as well, but it’s the batting department that worries me. Quinton de Kock – I feel he is stagnating in his career. I would’ve liked to see him grow into the top echelons like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. And also Chris Morris. Whether it’s a mental thing or a heart thing, I don’t know. But I really want them to step up ahead of the 2019 World Cup.” Graeme Smith added.

De Kock, Morris Need to be at Top of their Game Before World Cup - Graeme Smith
PC: Getty Images

In addition to that, Graeme Smith said Chris Morris is not performing as he expects from him. Smith also said they need Morris to be a part of the squad and put pressure on the opposition.

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Since January 2017, Quinton de Kock has scored 1223 runs in 26 ODIs with two hundred and nine half centuries. In the same period, the player with which Smith compared de Kock to, averages 72.59 (Rohit) and 95.07 (Kohli) in ODIs, in 40 innings each.

De Kock, Morris Need to be at Top of their Game Before World Cup - Graeme Smith
Chris Morris. PC: Getty Images

Furthermore, Chris Morris made his international debut in December 2012.  He has played four Tests, 34 ODIs and 17 T20Is in the last six years. Morris also missed South Africa’s contests with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. In 19 ODIs since January 2017, he has taken just 19 wickets at an average of almost 42.