Role of South Africa’s fast bowlers in the series against Australia – Opinion – Part Two
Continued from the previous part...
Steyn bowled with pace and fire in South Africa’s tour match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 ‘A’ at Sydney, picking up three wickets in the first innings and one in the second. In order to retain their number one ranking in Test cricket, the Proteas would love to have
their spearhead in top form against Australia, who possesses a quality batting line-up.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753
The cricketer from Bellville made his Test debut on the same date (9th of November) last year against the same opposition. He picked up a five-for in the second innings of his debut match, helping his side dismiss Australia for merely 47 runs.
The 27-year-old medium-fast bowler picked up eight wickets in the match to end up on the winning side.
Since then, Philander has been an integral part of the Proteas’ Test line-up, grabbing 63 wickets in just 10 matches with an average of 15.96 runs per scalp, which is an extra-ordinary achievement in one’s first year in Test cricket. The budding cricketer
has recently been named as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s sportsman of the year.
The Proteas bowling coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Anthony-Donald-c43680, is extremely impressed by the progress of Philander at the ultimate stage of the game. The legendary cricketer believes that immaculate line and length has been the seamer’s strength as he never gives too many loose
delivers to the batsmen; however, the right-armer can become lethal in helpful conditions, having the ability to move the ball both ways.
“It is just the telling lengths he bowls consistently, he never goes away, he locks you away as a batsman, you almost feel you've got to play at every delivery,” Donald said. “If there's anything in the wicket that offers him a bit, then he becomes even
more of a handful. Since 2007 when he was left out of the South African side he's gone away and learned his game, he's really become a tremendous bowler, and it's good for us to have him in the side.”
The Test series against the Kangaroos at their own backyard is going to be a huge test of character for Philander and his bowling coach has revealed that the new-ball bowler is geared up for the battle.
"He's really motivated for this tour - this is as big as it gets," the bowling coach added.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528
Philander does not have the pace of Steyn but both of them are quite similar because of their ability to swing the ball late. However, this makes Morkel extremely precious for South Africa as he is altogether a different bowler. Instead of banking on line,
length and swing, Morkel looks to run through batting line-ups with his ability to generate extra bounce from the tracks.
On hard and bouncy pitches in Australia, the 28-year-old cricketer from Transvaal is going to be extremely effective. If Morkel is able to find rhythm, the lanky pacer, because of his extra-height, is going to trouble the home team’s batsmen for sure. He
should be even more dangerous in the third Test at Perth, which is known for its fast tracks.
Morkel has so far picked up 150 wickets in the 42 Tests he has played for his country but some of the sporting analysts believe that he is yet to unleash his true potential in international cricket. The on-going tour of Australia provides a huge opportunity
to the fast bowler to silence his critics.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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