AB finds Morkel a handful

AB also thinks that Krejza doesn't look anything worth worrying about. He claims Morkel is a line and length bowler. What line does he aim for?

AB De Villiers says Morne Morkel is a handful

December 10, 2008 SOUTH Africa batsman AB De Villiers says Dale Steyn isn't the only pace bowler Australia's batsmen need to worry about in the first Test in Perth.

De Villiers says 24-year-old Morne Morkel is a "handful".

The taller Morkel has taken 37 wickets at 30.43 in 2008 and complements world No.1-ranked Steyn's skidding style and 150km/h outswingers.

"He's more a line-and-length type bowler," De Villiers said of Morkel.

"He has a lot of talent, a lot of skill and if he hits his form, he will be quite a handful.

"He's one of the tougher guys in the nets to face. He feels quicker but it's probably because of his bounce.

"He slots in between the 140s and 150s (km/h) consistently. He's pretty quick and he's physically strong and he gets bounce, which is his weapon."

De Villiers has been one of South Africa's in-form batsmen this year with 885 runs at 55.31 but was quick to inform reporters about his troubles in Bangladesh last month.

"After my average of 1.5 in the Bangladesh series it can't get any worse," he said.

South Africa have never won a Test series in Australia and De Villiers was part of the touring side beaten 2-0 three years ago.

"It's probably our biggest challenge that I've been involved in. It would be unbelievable (to win)," he said.

De Villiers said having five batsmen including himself in the top 10 scorers of 2008 wasn't easing the burden on himself.

"I'm still feeling the pressure. I've got to take responsibility," the 24-year-old said.

"I'm sure my chance will come somewhere along this series. I'm going to have to play a big innings.

"I've always enjoyed the bounce."

De Villiers said one-Test spinner Jason Krejza represented a potential weakness in the Australian lineup but added there was no team plan to attack the Tasmanian off-spinner if he plays.

"It's up to the individual to decide at the wicket," De Villiers said.

"They're definitely lacking in the spinning department without a guy like Shane Warne, but we've just got to play the situation.

"He looks like a normal, orthodox off-spinner. There's nothing too special that we've got to worry about.

"We've got to play with our normal technique for the off-spinner.

"We've faced guys like Harbhajan Singh over the last couple of years ...

"We've played him very well. We've just got to follow the same procedure."

I repeat: WGAF?

Fred Nerk wrote:I repeat: WGAF?

I do because he's cute.

And the Yarps have flip-flopped again, bigging up their pace bowlers after expressing doubts earlier in the week.

FFS, make up your mind, ya filthy hairybacks.

skulls, get it right. They're dopey hairybacks, not filthy hairybacks...

What, are you president of the Dead Pumpkinhead Society?

He may have been a pumpkinhead, but at least he was our pumpkinhead.

Aye, he were. And a bloody legend, some would say.

Sage.

I mean if it had been almost anyone else using the term 'dopey hairybacked sheilas' would we remember it now?

True. Still amazed it didn't draw more controversy. Hookesy was probably disappointed it didn't!!

Yep. And on Fox, Inside Pumpkin was great. Inside BJ is just tolerable.

Aye. Nick McArdle did a much better job than the bumbling BJ while the latter was in India commentating.

That does reinforce that while it's nice to use ex-sportsmen for jobs like that, sometimes (often?) a professional journo can do a better job.

Perhaps "Cod" could be the South African answer to Bruce Reid with a bit of Curtly Ambrose or Charlie Griffith thrown in?

'Griffith thrown' - Boom! Boom!

Looks like Morkel found his own run up a handful. Twisted ankle in attempting to bowl his first delivery.

The Yorkshire keeper thinks that he hits the gloves harder than any other bowler he's kept to. He said his hand hurt and they had to move back further behind the wicket.

SA's attack could be depleted the way they're falling over.

Reports are he should be right for the test. Just bruising.

Henry wrote:Reports are he should be right for the test. Just bruising.

That's what they said when he went over attempting to bowl his first ball on the Pakistan tour and he never bowled again over there and then missed the next series against NZ.

I've got no doubt that you cherish every time a Saffie player gets injured.

Henry wrote:I've got no doubt that you cherish every time a Saffie player gets injured.

Not Morkel though, I want to be able to perv at him. As a bloke you wouldn't understand but I do find some of the cricketers very attractive, even though appreciating the cricket is my first priority.

Im sure he could be your grandson.

According to Channel Nine the injury could be serious. They think his spikes were too long.

Red wrote:

Henry wrote:I've got no doubt that you cherish every time a Saffie player gets injured.

Not Morkel though, I want to be able to perv at him. As a bloke you wouldn't understand but I do find some of the cricketers very attractive, even though appreciating the cricket is my first priority.

I think trev understands

Red wrote:

Henry wrote:I've got no doubt that you cherish every time a Saffie player gets injured.

Not Morkel though, I want to be able to perv at him. As a bloke you wouldn't understand but I do find some of the cricketers very attractive, even though appreciating the cricket is my first priority.

As long as you don't find Morkel a mouthful, nobody here minds.