Morkel Satisfied with the Preparations ahead of the India Series

South Africa’s premium fast bowler Morne Morkel seemed satisfied with the fifer against Zimbabwe in the Boxing Day Test which saw the visitors getting wrapped up within just two days, the preparation for the South Africa team got a little bit hampered ahead of important India series. However, Morkel admitted that it was the time in the middle that was more useful on his international comeback from injury.

Final Session Of A Day Will Be Crucial Against India: Morne Morkel

Although Morkel’s recovery from an injury that he sustained during Bangladesh tour got to complete some time back, he couldn’t get any match time due to strong bowling line-up of the Titans.  Morkel only got to play one Ram Slam match and a three-day for the Eastern before the start of the Boxing Day Test, which Morgan used to full effect.

“I was ready to play four or five weeks ago but I know what a quality side the Titans have so I did a lot of training in the nets and in Cape Town. I understood (the Titans situation) from the start. I knew I couldn’t just slot straight in. That’s why I played the amateur game. It was important not to go sour about that. I knew there were aspects of my game I could work on – my fitness, running, extra gym work, I saw it as a blessing in disguise,” the 33-year-old Morkel was heard saying after the match.

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Zimbabwean batsmen fell out of place against a quality South African attack which used the conditions to full effect as they rattled the visitors only for 68 with Morkel registering five for 21. With 241 ahead, South Africa were left with the decision of whether they should give the batsmen some time in the middle ahead of the India series, or enforce the follow-on and give their bowlers a longer run. In the end, they chose the latter.

“There was a bigger picture today and it was important for us to get overs under the belt and some mileage in the legs. For me, in the series coming up (against India), it’s going to be that last session in the day when the ball is soft and conditions are tough. In Cape Town the wind is going to blow, we know that, so for us, the best preparation today as a bowling unit was to enforce the follow-on and get the 10 wickets,” Morkel further stated.

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The tall and lanky fast bowler, Morkel had an outstanding year bagging 39 wickets from nine Tests at an average of 23, to be one of South Africa’s premier seamers.

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With the veteran Dale Steyn expected to get fit for the first Test against India scheduled to start from January 5, the competition to be in the XI will be more robust, making Morkel’s performance against Zimbabwe all the more pleasing.

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“(Dale) has been bowling exceptionally well in the nets. He looks strong, he is very fit, and I reckon he would have been a handful on this wicket. It’s another week for him to freshen up. It’s a big time ahead now. For me, it was nice to get wickets under my name so when it comes to selection, for guys to maybe think about me,” Morkel signed off.

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