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If any of us were to be asked who has replaced the retired AB de Villiers as the Proteas’ most important player for next year’s World Cup, the names that would probably trip off the tongue are Quinton de Kock, captain Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir.
But the answer is increasingly looking like the genial all-rounder Chris Morris, of all the guy-next-door people.
It’s a suggestion that’s made to look misplaced by the fact that the gangling Morris, all 1.96m of him, is seen by most as a fringe player who often finds himself bracketed with others for the Proteas’ troublesome number seven spot.
The peripheral figure assertion is given weight by the fact that Morris – who will be 32 next year and can be assailed by bouts of heroism with both bat and ball – had still only played 34 one-day internationals (ODIs) when recalled to the Proteas ODI squad to tour Australia next month due to injuries and non-selection.
But he does have his knowledgeable fans, notably former Proteas coach Ray Jennings, who rates him as highly as in the top three all-rounders in the world in the T20 format.
“The way people identify talent and what that talent can actually do can be two different things,” he said earlier this year. “Morris hits the ball as far and bowls as quickly as anyone. He can be a key match-winner because he’s a genuine all-rounder with X-factor. He can change a game in an over for you – he can hit you 20 runs in an over, take two or three wickets or take a great catch at gully.
“If you look at the top five all-rounders with X-factor in South Africa, he’d be in that list. Does he beat AB as a batsman? No. Does he beat Rabada as a bowler? No. But do either of them beat him in terms of what he offers as an all-rounder? No.”
An even more important supporter of his is Proteas coach Ottis Gibson, who recently said: “Chris Morris has been away because he’s battled with injuries. We know that, if he’s fit, he’s an X-factor player for us so we’re hoping that he can stay fit this year because he can become quite an important figure for us.”
The main reason Gibson wants Morris in his team sooner rather than later is because, when he first arrived last year, he wanted to load his World Cup sides with all-rounders, a bit like the England side is currently set up.
But with respect to the gents who do it both ways on a cricket field in this country, our all-rounders currently don’t bring the same heat as England’s.
But Morris’ recent lower back injury left him with only Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder, 22 and 20, respectively.
The former, whose variations are such that he may well be the only man bowling a wrong ‘un off 15 paces, has had spectacular moments in the green jersey, but is inconsistent, while I get the feeling the World Cup may come a year or two too soon for the latter.
Which leaves Morris as the lone voice of experience and underrated X-factor. Able to bowl faster than 140km/h and possessed with a sharp short ball, Morris becomes an important third quick in the unlikelihood that Gibson will choose all three of Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Dale Steyn in the same match.
Given how hit and miss Phehlukwayo has been with the bat in that problematic number seven slot, Morris’ happy knack of savage – not to mention carefree – hitting suddenly pushes him into the best available man for that position, with the younger man moving one spot down to accommodate him.
Then there’s his outrageous catching close to the bat for one so tall – Gibson has repeatedly said he believes the World Cup will be won on a brilliant piece of fielding.
But the catch is, now that he’s fit again and apparently on form – he’s topping the wicket-taking charts in the domestic four-day competition after two rounds with 12 – will he stay that way all the way to the World Cup in a longer than usual local season, including the obligatory Indian Premier League?
. Follow me on Twitter @Simxabanisa
