Morkel praises contribution of spinner Maharaj

South Africa seamer Morne Morkel has lauded the contribution of spinner Keshav Maharaj after the Proteas’ series-levelling victory over England in the second Test at Trent Bridge.
Left-arm tweaker Maharaj was the unsung hero for the visitors as they beat the hosts by 340 runs in Nottingham with the four-match series now at one-all with two games to play.
Maharaj took 3/21 from 10 overs in the first innings on a pitch that was more suited for seam bowling while in the second innings the 27-year-old returned figures of 3/42 in 12 overs.
Morkel praised the work done by the Dolphins slow-bowler, who has been a revelation since making his Test debut in Australia last year.
In quotes published on the IOL website, Morkel said: “The whole (fast bowling) unit can thank Keshav. For him to bowl exceptionally well, keep up an end to allow all the seamers to rotate, it’s something this team desperately needed.
“He works so hard … he’s the guy who’s on the early bus, works endless hours with (spin bowling coach) Claude Henderson.”
Maharaj, who has so far captured 36 wickets in nine Tests, says his job in the side is to just stop the game from one end so the faster bowlers can go at the batsmen from the other side.
He was also thankful for the guidance of Henderson and the Proteas’ video analyst, Prasanna Agoram.
Maharaj said: “I’m very grateful to Hendo. We’ve been working on control of the ball, trying to spin it more. Tactically, him and Prasanna (Agoram, the team’s video analyst) have a very good relationship.
“Through that they’re always trying to get me to understand batsmen’s thoughts. A lot of time is spent away from the nets, behind a computer working out game plans.”
“I’m just trying to stop the game, and hold up an end and the seamers can get the wickets.”
Latest
-
News
Sachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
News
New Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.
-
News
Jamie Porter hoping for England call after picking James Anderson’s brain
Porter was close to his England debut against India three years ago but has fallen down the pecking order.
-
News
ICC Rankings: Fakhar Zaman on the charge in ODIs
Fakhar Zaman has scored back-to-back ODI centuries in South Africa and is in red-hot form.
-
News
ICC pressing ahead with plans for T20 World Cup in India despite Covid-19 spike
Acting chief executive Geoff Allardice says the ICC is “not anywhere near” activating any contingency plans.
-
News
Matt Parkinson takes positives from England tour despite lack of game time
Parkinson did not see competitive action in Sri Lanka or India.
-
News
Ponting sheds light on Smith’s Delhi Capitals role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has given some insight into where Steve Smith would fit into his side.
-
News
Akhtar ‘wouldn’t call De Kock a cheat’ but run-out not in the ‘spirit of cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar has had his say on Quinton de Kock’s controversial actions during the run-out of Fakhar Zaman.
-
News
Sarah Taylor set for playing comeback in The Hundred with Welsh Fire
Taylor put her cricketing career on hold in September 2019 when announcing her international retirement.
-
News
Eoin Morgan believes there is still room for all three formats
England 50-over World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan...