Economical Morris grows into middle-overs role

Before the current triangular series in the Caribbean, Chris Morris had played 11 ODIs, bowled 80.3 overs, taken 13 wickets and conceded 6.36 runs an over. In the two matches he has played in this tournament, he has bowled 14 overs, not taken a wicket, but given away just 48 runs, at 3.43 an over. He credits the difference in his economy rate to the IPL, and to his Delhi Daredevils captain, Zaheer Khan, who helped him make small changes to his technique and mindset.

"I had a little bit missing in my action just before the World T20. I was sliding a lot of balls down the leg side so I did a little bit of technical work on that," Morris said. "And then, just watching the way Zaheer thought, how his brain patterns were when he was bowling. It was about keeping a lot calmer and focusing on what I needed to do with the ball and my action at the time. I did a little bit of work with him but it was more of a mental shift for me."

The results of those changes showed at the IPL, where Morris was one of only 11 bowlers with an economy rate of seven or less, and one of only two who maintained that economy rate bowling more than 20 overs. In total, he bowled 44 overs at an economy rate of 7.00; Mustafizur Rahman's 61 overs were only slightly more economical at 6.90 runs to the over. Overall, Morris has gained "a lot more consistency" as he seeks to secure the allrounder's spot in South Africa's starting XI.

Morris started the series as the preferred choice, ahead of Wayne Parnell, but a hamstring niggle kept him out of South Africa's next two games and afforded Parnell the opportunity to show off the domestic form that earned him an international recall. Parnell was also miserly with the ball in hand but his inability to contribute to the batting line-up opened the door for Morris to return and play alongside him in the fourth match.

There, Morris was promoted to No.3, to act as a pinch-hitter after South Africa's openers got them off to a strong start. His quickfire 40 helped take South Africa to the first total over 300 in the series. Although Morris recognises the value he can add as a batsman, he still sees his primary role as being part of the bowling attack and fulfilling a unique role in the middle overs.

"I'm a first-change bowler. That's my role in the team. It's quite a specific role because we've got a lot of plans put in place for certain batsmen," Morris said. "It's a role that I quite enjoy - it's a difficult one but I like taking it on the chin and just going with it."

While Morris did not give away exactly what this job requires of him, the evidence so far suggests that he has been asked to act more as a containing bowler than an attacking one. With Kagiso Rabada and Parnell (or Kyle Abbott) taking the new ball and setting the tone, Morris has to follow-up and often bowl in tandem with one of the spinners, who have proven to be the chief wicket-takers in the Caribbean conditions so far. That may change in Barbados, which is expected to offer something for the seamers.

Robin Peterson, who plays for the Barbados Tridents in the CPL, called the Kensington Oval "the Wanderers of the Caribbean," which should make Morris and Co. feel a little more at home. "It's vital to adapt early doors. The sooner you adapt, the more you can control what's going on but I am looking forward to bowling on it and maybe getting some extra pace and bounce," Morris admitted.

It could also mean Morne Morkel may make a first appearance in the series but that may present another problem - it could come at Morris' expense. Given the way Morris has performed so far though, he may be able to keep South Africa's most experienced paceman on the sidelines a little longer.