Former South African pacer and current Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel was seen bowling to Indian batters in the nets as the team prepares for the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The match begins on Saturday, December 14, at the Gabba in Brisbane.
After a commanding 295-run win in the first Test, India faced a setback in the second pink-ball Test. The batters struggled in both innings, failing to cross 200 runs, while the hosts dominated with a 10-wicket victory, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
Ahead of the third Test, Morkel worked closely with the Indian batters, helping them refine their techniques as they aim to regain the upper hand in the series. You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/beastieboy07/status/1867033532889174456?s=46
The 40-year-old retired from international cricket in 2018. The tall right-arm pacer took 309 wickets in 86 Tests, including eight five-wicket hauls. In six Tests in Australia, Morkel claimed 23 wickets.
“We focused on building pressure through dot balls” – Morne Morkel on India’s strategy after Day 2 of 2nd 2024-25 BGT Test
Indian bowlers displayed excellent lines and lengths in the first Test of the 2024-25 BGT, but their performance dipped in the second Test as Australia posted 337 runs in their first innings. After Day 2, Morne Morkel admitted that the bowlers struggled with their line and length, stating via ICC:
“In the first Test match, our lines and lengths were exceptional, and I think that was the blueprint going for us, into this Test series. We wanted to bring stumps into play as much as we can, and I felt that last night with the ball moving around a bit. We missed that, we were slightly off the mark in finding the right length.”
“At times, we [India in the first innings] were a touch wide, so we allowed the guys to leave a lot of balls. If you look at the history of pink ball Tests, that time of night if you bowl [in those areas], then you can pick up wickets,” Morkel added.
The Indian bowlers will look to correct their mistakes and deliver an improved performance in the third Test, with Jasprit Bumrah, who has claimed 12 wickets in the first two matches, set to lead the attack.
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