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Chris Morris is a player for the big occasion.
He showed this at the Wanderers on Friday night when his brilliant 62 off only 38 balls clinched victory for South Africa in the fourth ODI against England.
And no, the R16.5 million man said, the obscene amount of money paid for him earlier in the week at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction did not serve as motivation for this innings.
“No one can justify such an amount of money being paid,” he said. “For me, it’s just a special feeling to live my dream and play for South Africa. That’s already enough for me.
“To win a game for your country, regardless of whether it’s chess, darts or whatever, is very special.”
The 62 in the one-wicket win was Morris’ career best and earned him man of the match. He was dropped on 14 and admits his heart nearly fell into his boots when the ball was in the air. “I could hardly believe it when I saw I’d been dropped. That’s when I realised this could be my day.
“I know this field very well – every corner of it. So I knew which are the best places to hit the ball and get sixes.”
Morris was involved in a 50-run partnership with Kyle Abbott for the ninth wicket.
“[Abbott] just told me all the time to stay in the moment. When I looked up and saw we needed only eight runs with 24 balls left, I said we could just do it with singles,” said Morris.
“The atmosphere was something incredible. I have now played in two IPLs, but the noise in the stadium here was even worse than I have ever experienced in India.
“I still get goose bumps when I think about it,” he said.
– Christo Buchner/Rapport
