We are nothing without fans and supporters

Morne Morkel, who after quitting international cricket a couple of years ago went on to feature for Surrey, speaks to Sportstar on a range of issues.

Speaking to Sportstar from Sydney — a city he now calls home — the pace ace opens up on a range of issues.

With the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball, how much of a challenge will it be for the bowlers when the action resumes?

Before we get to the bowlers, I think the biggest challenge will be on the eld. Old habits die hard and to constantly remind players not to use saliva is going to take someone who is very switched on during the game. Most of the bowlers nowadays have fantastic skills and are very consistent and I’m sure they will nd a new way to make the ball talk.

What’s the way forward then? Many people are suggesting that the pitches should be friendly...

I personally feel we don’t have to overthink about this. Pitches have been good for years and bowling attacks which can create pressure and bowl well in partnerships will always pick up wickets.

Yes, the new ball will swing and you want to look after it in the best way possible. But a big percentage of the time, overhead conditions play the biggest role when it comes to the swinging ball. And teams nowadays have so many dierent bowling combinations or options that they pick an attack based on conditions.

Some cricket experts feel that the shining of the ball is mainly done in the longer format and it will not have an impact on the shorter versions. What’s your opinion?

I agree. You do a lot more work on the ball during a Test match to keep it in the best possible condition… But I believe in winning one percenters on the eld. And in the shorter format, it is so important to keep working on the ball. You just never know, out of nowhere, the ball will start to swing or reverse and that brings momentum back to your side.

From now on, the game will change immensely. There will be social distancing, no crowd in the stands… Could you ever imagine that such a thing would happen in cricket?

Am I dreaming? No, never and hopefully it is not the way of the future.

We are nothing without our fans and supporters. Personally, watching a game live is the best way to learn and it also kickstarts the dream in future generations to play at the highest level. Hopefully, when life returns to normal, the supporters will have a real hunger for the game again and support will be strong.

Will the new rule make the game a bit onesided, favouring the batsmen?

A swinging ball will always be a massive

weapon. But at the end of the day, if you bowl with the right mindset and intensity, you will create opportunities.

Biobubble seems to be the buzzword in cricket at the moment. Do you think in international cricket, where calendars are chockablock, it is a sustainable model?

I hope, it is just a shortterm model to get cricket back on the eld. There is nothing better than touring a country and playing at dierent venues. The atmosphere and playing conditions are completely dierent in dierent venues, which makes it very exciting.

You play for Surrey in the English County Championship. But this time, there is no clarity on county cricket… It’s a very uncertain time indeed for everyone in the world. All athletes can do is control our own environment. It’s very important to stay as professional as possible.

There is no excuse not to work hard on your tness or to keep on nding small ways to improve your wellness and game. We have the responsibility of making smart decisions daily.

There are many players who have left their international teams to play in the UK courtesy the Kolpak ruling. Will life be challenging for them now? Unfortunately, this is the last year of Kolpak deals. It gave a lot of players who love the game a lifeline and some took the opportunity and became superstars, which is great for the game.

Playing as an overseas member will still be an option, so if players put in the hard yards and come up with matchwinning cricket, any team in the world will pick you.

Let’s talk a bit about South African cricket. How do you see the Proteas fast bowling department now? Has it moved up or gone down from where you had left?

In terms of experience, they are still a bit raw. Dale (Steyn), Vernon (Philander) and myself played for a long time together, so to lose three bowlers over a short space of time will hurt any team.

But I do believe, they still have a lot of quality and are more than capable of getting the job done. Game time is essential and the right environment.

There is no clarity whether the T20 World Cup and the IPL will happen this year. Do you see the Indian Premier League happening?

IPL is one of the biggest events on the cricket calendar. Hopefully, they can come up with a plan to play it this year. Perhaps, just before the T20 World Cup!

AP Right attitude: “It’s very important to stay as professional as possible, in such trying times,” says former South African speedster Morne Morkel.

AFP Winning mantra: “A swinging ball will always be a massive weapon. But at the end of the day, if you bowl with the right mindset and intensity you will create opportunities,” says Morkel.

AKHILESH KUMAR Speed guns: Vernon Philander (left) has a word with Dale Steyn. “Dale, Vernon and myself played for a long time together, so to lose three bowlers over a short space of time will hurt any team. But I do believe, they (South Africa) still have a lot of quality and are more than capable of getting the job done,” says Morkel.