Batsman Albie Morkel master of swing

NINE games into this season’s domestic franchise T20 competition and the most economical bowler is not last year’s leader Jon-Jon Smuts.

Nor is it Andrew Birch or Aaron Phangiso.

But Titans duo Albie Morkel and Aiden Markram are tops.

Yes, a 36-year-old journeyman with 302 T20s under his belt – and a part-time off-spinner, destined to be more remembered for his batting.

Morkel has begrudged runs at 4.66 to the over – and Markram at 5.12.

Morkel has bowled six overs and Markram eight.

But of the 46 players who have turned an arm going into yesterday’s match between the Dolphins and the Warriors at Kingsmead‚ only six have had 10 or more overs. So Morkel is on top. And it is not a blip in the stats – last season Morkel finished the tournament as the third-most‚ well‚ miserly bowler with at least 20 overs under his belt – by banking an economy rate of 6.70.

But it is not news to Dolphins coach Grant Morgan.

“The Lions tried to smack Albie [who took 3/12 in three overs in that match] but they lost wickets,” Morgan said.

“Batsmen are just not getting hold of him.

“Markram was part of a collapse against the Warriors [when he took 3/21 in four]‚ and he’s a nifty‚ crafty guy.

“Albie probably prefers batting at this stage of his career‚ so bowling is just something he does well. With Markram‚ bowling is his second string.

“Maybe they’re not putting pressure on themselves,” Morgan said.

“They are reading situations well and bowling the right ball at the right time – without panicking.

“Sometimes raw pace can fly and‚ with lack of pace‚ you can execute well.”

ý Last night’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between the Dolphins and the Warriors in Durban was abandoned due to heavy rain.