Morne Morkel has his hopes attached with the top order - Cricket News Update
The South African pace bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528, is hopeful that the batsmen will give the bowlers a decent total to defend in their second innings.
Speaking to media reporters at the end of the second day of the ongoing Test series opener in Dunedin, the 27-year-old right-arm pacer conceded that the pressure will be on them to bat well on the third day and make a comeback into the match.
"It's really close so the pressure is on us tomorrow to bat well," said Morkel speaking to media reporters on Thursday evening.
"There is talk of the ball keeping low and that it's going to be tough to bat in the second innings. So hopefully the boys can go big in the second innings," he added further.
The Proteas, who have a chance to go top of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test rankings, were bundled out for a 238 in their first innings. However, the bowlers took the onus of responsibility and restricted the Black Caps to 243 for 9 at stumps on day 2.
The rookie pacer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir and Jacques Kallis shared a wicket apiece, as the hosts
were rolled over for 273 in their first innings.
Morkel, the right-arm fast bowler, has his hopes attached with the South African top order and with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HM-Amla-c1557, who he believes will put the tourists into a winning position. He was hopeful that the experienced
trio will enjoy long outings on the crease, when the two outfits resume the game on Friday morning.
"Hopefully they can bat for a day and a half. It would be good to give the bowlers some rest in that time," said the lanky speedster.
"Luckily we've got a top order that's shown in the past that they can bat us out of this situation and I back them all the way to go big in the second innings," he added further.
The Proteas are scheduled to play two more Tests against the Kiwis and a 3-nil whitewash of the Black Caps will steer them to the top of the ICC Test rankings, ahead of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013.
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