Chris Morris

Morris is – on his day – as destructive a three-dimensional cricketer as his country could wish to find

The Cricketer | 08/05/2019 at 11:48

Born: April 30, 1987

Role: Right-hand bat, right-arm fast-medium

That Chris Morris wasn’t selected in South Africa’s initial 15-man squad says more about the Proteas’ fast-bowling stocks than anything else.

Replacing the stricken Anrich Nortje, quite simply, Morris is – on his day – as destructive a three-dimensional cricketer as his country could wish to find.

Capable of bowling upwards of 88 miles per hour, the 32-year-old was comparatively late onto the professional scene, only making his first-class debut aged 22.

However, it is as a lower-order hitter where much of his recent value has come from; Indian Premier League stints with the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils and the Chennai Super Kings, as well as a Caribbean Premier League spell with the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots are testament to an ability to change games with both bat and ball.

While his international statistics are of a man whose career on the global stage has not, perhaps, taken off, he remains a deeply valuable option as the Proteas look to finally break their World Cup duck.

A match-winning 62 off 38 deliveries in an ODI against England back in 2016 – still his highest international white-ball score going into the World Cup – is both an indicator of Morris’ potential, but also of the curious stagnation of a natural talent who could yet prove South Africa’s trump card.

SOUTH AFRICA PLAYER PROFILES

Hashim Amla

JP Duminy

Quinton de Kock

Andile Phehlukwayo