S Africa greasing up their lightning attack
CRICKET
Mark Geenty It’s not enough that South Africa boast the most feared pace attack in world cricket. Now they’ve got White Lightning back in their corner, and they’re loving it.
A year after he was unveiled to the media in a black tracksuit at the Basin Reserve, Allan Donald stalked the outfield in his beloved green yesterday, South African fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Marchant de Lange never far away.
A quiet word of encouragement, a quick look at some ipad footage, Donald’s influence was constant, even if the tourists insist he’s providing little dressing room intelligence of his former Black Caps charges.
‘‘He brings a whole new dimension to the bowling coach role. We train in specifics, it’s not just a net that rolls on for hours and you go through the motions,’’ senior allrounder Albie Morkel said. ‘‘Intensity at the nets is right up there, he demands it.’’
In the modern cricketing world of T20 glitz and big-hitting allrounders, there are few genuine fast bowlers galloping around.
South Africa have Morkel and de Lange, the 21-year-old who took seven for 81 on test debut against Sri Lanka in December. New Zealand’s previous tormentor Dale Steyn arrives this weekend for the ODI series; Vernon Philander, with 30 wickets from his first four tests, flies in for next month’s three-test series.
‘‘We’ve got the likes of Dale and Morne and that gives that sort of edge. But in saying that the wickets in New Zealand are a bit different, a bit slower so sometimes that’s actually nicer to face,’’ Morkel said.
Albie Morkel, who made his ODI debut in Wellington on South Africa’s previous tour in 2004, would love to see his ‘‘little’’ brother do well in this country. Playing genuine pace and bounce hasn’t always been New Zealand’s strong suit.
The 27-year-old Morne, three years Albie’s junior, is an imposing 1.96m. In 36 tests, he has 129 wickets at 30.57 and in the shorter formats his numbers are compelling. In ODIS it’s 87 wickets at 24 (economy rate of 4.87), in T20 internationals it’s 28 wickets at 16 (ER 6.43).
‘‘Looking at him in the nets he’s running in, he’s hitting high speeds and bowling good areas. He’s that type of bowler, a rhythm bowler and on the day he can just switch it on,’’ Albie Morkel said.
Morkel Sr is one of just two returnees in the T20 squad from the 2004 tour, along with spinner Robin Peterson. Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis arrive for the first ODI in Wellington on February 25, and Mark Boucher for the tests.
The first thing Morkel remembers is the lack of swing and the foreign conditions. Yesterday they trained at the Basin under leaden skies. The forecast for today’s T20 warmup game against Canterbury in Christchurch is for rain.
‘‘We find it very tough. It’s very different from South Africa, especially weather-wise,’’ Morkel said.
‘‘It’s pretty cold, pretty wet and pretty slippery. You have to adapt every game.
‘‘We’ve got a young side so it will be interesting to see how quickly we can adapt to those conditions. New Zealand are a very tough side to beat in New Zealand.’’
Morkel insisted New Zealand’s largely uncontested romps against Zimbabwe would be a help, rather than a hindrance to the hosts ahead of the T20 series opener at Westpac Stadium on Friday night.
‘‘At least they’re putting big numbers on the scoreboard. They’re absolutely annihilating Zimbabwe, which is a good thing. I’m sure we’ll be stronger opposition, but for them confidence must be right up there.’’
A batting all-rounder for coach Stephen Fleming’s Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, Morkel is intent on seeing more of the countryside than he did eight years ago, starting with a catchup with Fleming.
‘‘I really enjoy working with Flem. I’m actually catching up with him for a pub lunch.’’