Morris not interested in Kolpak
Protea allrounder Chris Morris has reaffirmed his commitment to the Proteas cause declaring that he will not be taking up a Kolpak contract.
Injury has forced Morris down the pace pecking order in the Proteas set up but Morris is eager to work his way back into the team and make an impact for South Africa.
Morris told the gathered media at an Audi Batting Masterclass in Clifton: “There’s been a lot of noise around Kolpak, it has not only hampered me but has hampered a lot of other people; it’s a personal thing and is up to the person.
“I had a good sit down with Mark Boucher (Titans coach) and chatted to him about the Kolpak situation. There were no offers or anything, just a lot of noise around it.
“For me, I have committed myself to CSA and I want to play cricket for my country. I’m going to give it a full go and at the end of the day if I don’t play more cricket than I have now, then so be it, then at least I can say I tried my best to get there.
“If I don’t get selected for the Proteas I will go back to the Titans and fight for my spot back in the national side.”
Morris is eager to break back into the Test team, which he admits will be tough.
The allrounder added: “I will always look to play Test cricket, It’s what I want to do and what I want to play because for me it’s the best format of cricket. If I don’t play it again, so be it, but I will never stop trying to get there.”
Morris made his return to first class cricket for Titans in the Sunfoil Series on 12 January: “I have since played one four-day game in Benoni and everything looks good, I went through the game unscathed, but I would have loved to score more runs.
“The wonderful thing about cricket is that it finds a way to make you miss the game, and for six weeks I missed playing. For recovery, I spent time with the family and played some golf to keep my hand-eye coordination in.”
Morris is looking forward to the Champions Trophy later this year and hopes to play a big part for the Proteas.
He went on: “I know it sounds cheesy but It’s another opportunity for me to play for my country and a chance for us to win a trophy. Every trophy we play for, we give it everything. The best way is for us to focus on every single game.”
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.