It has been a frustrating time for the South African side as heavy monsoon deprived the visitors of action from the fourth day onward in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
However, nearly a week has elapsed since then and the weather has improved slightly. Ahead of the series decider in Dhaka, starting tomorrow, the sun was shining bright and South African fast bowler Morne Morkel yesterday informed that they could hardly wait to get back on the field.
“We are very, very happy (with the improvement in weather). I think we have got a bit of cabin-fever sitting in the hotel. And, most of the guys were playing football out in the rain. Really excited to go and get this Test match on its way. There are 11 hungry Proteas in the change-room,” Morkel told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The 30-year old stated that weather will play a big part in the Dhaka Test but said once the five-dayer does roll on the field, the tourists will be looking to make the Bangladesh batsmen play more deliveries.
“I think it’s one thing we have discussed, especially with the heat and humidity, we cannot afford to waste any deliveries. We need to be clearer and more on our money with our plans to certain batsmen and make them play more and go for three dismissals instead of one. I think I enjoy bowling in the sub-continent because I don’t get as much bounce in South Africa. So, it brings me a little bit more in the play. It’s time for us now to step it up a bit now and show why we are the number one team in the world,” Morkel said before adding, “I mean, if you can get the ball to reverse, it’s a great ball to bowl. How I see it, we just need to get 20 wickets, no matter it is a stumping down the leg-side or a yorker. We have had a look at their batting line-up again and we are going to go with different plans. Hopefully, that will work for us in the second Test.”
Despite being one of the most ferocious fast bowlers in world cricket, the 6’4’’ lad, who is the younger of the Morkel brothers, remained wicket-less. The Tigers batsmen faced no problems nullifying his threat and Morkel, ranked the world’s 10th best Test bowler, informed that he is looking forward to improving on his recent form when the Dhaka Test gets underway.
Morkel also spared a thought for his partner in crime, Dale Steyn, who is just a wicket away from becoming the second South African, after all-rounder Shaun Pollock, to bag 400 wickets. Morkel hoped that his team mate would be able to reach the milestone in the series decider.
