Albie Morkel is the first man under pressure in the going England’s tour to South Africa, if Eric Simons’ predictions are true.
The former South African coach is contradicting the opinion of the current think tank, stating that it would be better off to keep Morkel for the end rather than promote him to the no.6 position in the batting order.
South African captain, Graeme Smith, and South African coach, Mickey Arthur, have been contemplating opening with Jacques Kallis in the ODI matches beginning Friday, given that Herschelle Gibbs is not amongst the plans. Although it is believed Hashim Amla is also being considered, perhaps one reckons that the South African team may not even hesitate to put Loots Bosman in at some point in time even though he has not been named in the original ODI squad.
The think tank is of the belief that Alviro Peterson will occupy the number 5 position and instead of Mark Boucher coming in at number 6, they would like to look at promoting Morkel. South Africa are looking at a deliberate attempt to add more flexibility to the line up after getting caught out in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 and in the build up to the 2011 ICC World Cup.
However, Simons believes it will be Morkel’s undoing because he thinks Albie has a penchant for lusty hitting, not paying attention to the necessity of rotating strike and taking singles. Also, there appears to be little faith in his bowling prowess, with some even slamming him as a bits and pieces player, not really a genuine all rounder. His bowling in the second Twenty20 match against England was also given the rap.
It will be interesting how Albie deals with this criticism at him, in the situation of a critical series. Considered the natural successor to Lance Klusener and Justin Kemp, Albie Morkel made his mark firstly strong for the Chennai Super Kings in the first IPL season.
Albie was of course the sensation behind South Africa’s endeavours down under when Australia tasted defeat at the hands of the big hitting batsman, who was deliberately kept back into the batting powerplay which he used to destructive effect.
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