Morris still has a World Cup dream
NEW DAD: HOWEVER, CRICKET NOT THE BE-ALL, END-ALL
Chris Morris knows that whether he makes the World Cup squad at the end of the season or not depends on how he performs for the Titans at domestic level, but he is also comfortable that cricket is no longer the most important thing in his life, having recently celebrated the birth of his first child.
“I’d be lying if I said the World Cup wasn’t in my head, but the only way I can get there is by performing domestically. It’s every cricketer’s dream to go to the World Cup, but I’m under no illusions that I’m going to have to fight for my place because there are a lot of all-rounders doing well in South African cricket at the moment.
“So to get my seat booked on the plane, I’m going to have to perform in domestic cricket. Only runs and wickets will take my case forward. But mentally I’ve also learnt not to sweat the petty stuff. I’ve just had a child and the whole dynamic and my outlook has changed.
“The small things no longer get to me, I’m more relaxed but I work a lot harder and I find it easier just to switch off. Taking cricket home with you is not healthy and even if you’ve had a bad day on the field, your youngster is still smiling at you when you get home,” Morris told The Citizen.
The 31-year-old fast bowler and explosive lower-order batsman missed most of the IPL and the Proteas’ tour of Sri Lanka due to a back injury, and was not named in either the ODI or T20 squads for the matches against Zimbabwe starting on September 30.
But Morris is back playing again, bowling 10 overs (1/20) in a Titans intra-squad three-day game this week. He was sharp enough to hit the batsmen twice on the head and he will be taking part in the Titans four-day opener against the Dolphins from next Wednesday as well as the trip to Abu Dhabi to play in their Champions League style T20 tournament from October 4.
“I still feel a bit rusty, the last time I bowled was four-and-a-half months ago, and after 10 overs I am a bit sore. But the first day back is always like that and it was just good to be out there. I want to play in the four-day game next week because there’s only one way to get bowling fit and that is by bowling. I need to get overs under the belt.
“I still have ambitions in redball cricket, but it’s going to be a nice tournament in Abu Dhabi, playing against international opposition will be a good test. We’ve had good preparation, spending days in the sun this week, getting time on our feet. Our youngsters will be able to take a lot out of the trip,” Morris said.