The Albie Morkel dilemma

by Henry Fri 10 Apr 2009, 05:04

His power hitting down the order is a vital cog in South Africa's ODI side. But can he justify his place in the team if his bowling is consistently getting hammered to all parts? If he's in the side as a batting all rounder, he needs to bat higher than number 7. If he's in the side as a bowling all rounder then he deserves to be dropped as he's served up a whole heap of rubbish with the ball recently. I think he has the batting ability to slot in at number 5. Coming in around the 30 over mark, he would have an opportunity to get settled at the crease, before launching in the final 10 overs.

How about-

Smith
De Villiers
Kallis
Duminy
A.Morkel
Boucher
Van Der Merwe
Botha
Parnell
M.Morkel
steyn

Bowling options galore, but the batting doesn't really lose much. Mickey Arthur thinks that wayne Parnell down at number 9 has the ability to bat at number 7 in the next 3-4 years.

by Red Fri 10 Apr 2009, 05:10

Not a bad suggestion as if you look at the little Morkel's first class average it's not much different to AB and the likes of McKenzie and is certainly a lot better than Boucher's. Surely if he comes in and has time to settle, it wouldbe even easier for him to hit out at the end and in the batting powerplay. I don't know about the large Morkel being in the team though, he seems to have fallen out of favour. The fact that he can't bat doesn't help his cause.

Actually Henry it would have suited SA better if both Morkels had been created as one person and that would constitute the perfect allrounder. Smile

BTW, I don't think that the small Morkel bowled any worse at the death than Parnell. One problem with the usage of the Morkels is that they never have the new ball at their disposal so have to bowl when any shine is off and often when the batsmen have already settled.

I don't know about AB opening but surely Gibbs has had his day.

Now for you to solve Australia's balance dilemma.