How Morris is keeping himself Test-ready
Australian fast bowler-in-waiting Lance Morris is completing extra red-ball training sessions on his own as he continues to press his claim for a Test debut against the West Indies.
The Perth Scorchers speedster demolished the Adelaide Strikers’ top order on Wednesday night to claim career-best T20 figures of 5-24 but continues to focus on his preparedness for the longer format as his BBL side surges towards a third consecutive title.
Morris said his solo training had been challenging since being released from the Australian squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test, but he remained in constant communication with the selectors.
Scott Boland remains with the Test squad and will enter calculations against the West Indies along with Michael Neser if one of Australia’s “big three” quicks needs a rest, but Morris may have pushed his way to the front of the queue to take on an inexperienced touring side.
“It’s just a matter of staying ready – you’re playing BBL cricket, but it’s finding those top-up sessions where you’ve got to get a few overs in and just stay red-ball fit as well,” Morris said after the Scorchers’ 42-run win in Perth on Wednesday night.
“It’s finding maybe one out of three sessions where I’m actually bowling with a red ball, and it’s generally to an empty net as well, which sucks a bit.
“But then topping up overs – I got a few in the warm-up tonight, and then four in the game, so it’s just topping up every now and then and making sure I’ve got enough overs under my belt.”
Morris said he had “absolutely loved” his stints with the Test squad despite having been unable to break into the side.
He said his release from the squad after the Perth Test had not affected his clarity on where he stood in the pecking order.
“It’s just been an open-ended thing that we will check in after each Test match and see where everyone is at,” he said.
“I think the way (the selectors) brought me in and had me around the squad has helped me a lot.
“I feel like if I was to get a crack, I would feel a lot more comfortable in that environment, and I think it’s the perfect way to bring someone into international cricket.”
The Strikers only have to wait 48 hours to get another crack at Morris’s Scorchers at the Adelaide Oval, with the fast bowler saying their star-studded bowling attack would need to be more disciplined against Strikers captain Matt Short in the return fixture on Friday night.