First session will be key, says http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528 – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s fast bowler Morne Morkel urged the Proteas batsmen to be at their absolute best when they resume their second innings from 39 without loss on Monday’s final day.
Speaking to media reporters at the post-day press conference on Sunday, the 27-year-old right-arm fast bowler said that the morning session of the final day would be crucial in deciding the outcome of the game.
"The key is the first session," said Morkel the Transvaal-born right-arm speedster, who claimed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806’s prized scalp on Sunday. "We need to bat really well and then take it from there,” he added further.
South Africa, who scored 419 runs in their first innings, courtesy http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Petersen-c1028 (182), were 39 for 0 at stumps on day four and it would have been a very comfortable situation for the Proteas with a formidable batting line-up, had they
not been sweating over the fitness of three key players, first innings centurion, Petersen, skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692.
Though http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jacques-Rudolph-c1619, and was at the crease on 17 before rain enforced an early end to day four’s proceedings, the South African management has revealed that Kallis and Petersen
will go out to bat only if needed.
Rain took almost sixty overs out of yesterday (Sunday), and Morkel hoped the weather gods not to intervene much on the final day.
“Hopefully the sun is out and we can get some runs on the board and that will be fantastic,” said the South African pacer.
Earlier on Sunday, the tourists sent centurion Kevin Pietersen packing without allowing him to add a single run to his overnight score of 149. He was trapped leg before wicket off Morne Morkel’s on the second ball of the day.
"The way KP (Pietersen) was batting yesterday afternoon, well, it was very important to get him early today," said Morkel. "When he's in that sort of mood he is very, very difficult to bowl to," he added further.
South Africa currently lead the three-Test series 1-0, with the third Test scheduled to be played at Lord’s from August 16.
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