Morne Morkel Anticipates Challenging Conditions for Indian Bowlers in England
Morkel's Insights on Upcoming Tour
London [UK], June 13: Morne Morkel, the bowling coach for India, predicts that the pitches in England will be "less spicy" compared to previous experiences and emphasizes a key factor for players to excel during this demanding tour.
Since their arrival in England, the Indian cricket team has been engaged in rigorous training sessions, filled with light-hearted exchanges among players. Morkel, who has a history of success on English pitches, has been keenly observing the ongoing contest between batters and bowlers alongside the coaching staff.
After a couple of days of practice, Morkel noted that the conditions favored fast bowlers, presenting a challenge for batters but ultimately beneficial for their long-term preparation.
"The initial two days of practice have shown that the conditions are advantageous for pace bowlers. It's an exciting start to the tour, boosting their confidence. It poses a challenge for batters, which helps them gear up for what lies ahead," Morkel stated in a video shared by the BCCI.
He further remarked, "I don’t expect the wickets to be as lively as those we’ve encountered here. The banter between bat and ball has been lively, likely due to the slightly spicy nature of the wickets."
As Morkel anticipates how the wickets will behave when the tour kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, he aims to convey a vital message to his pace attack. The former fast bowler encourages ongoing communication among bowlers, even when conditions are less favorable for movement.
"When the wickets flatten out, bowlers often tend to retreat. I will advise them to maintain their discussions not just when the ball is moving but also when conditions are flat, as that’s when their character is truly tested," he explained.
With each passing day, India approaches a new chapter in Test cricket, preparing to compete without key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from the format last month.
Despite a relatively inexperienced squad, Morkel stressed the significance of maintaining consistency both on and off the field to achieve success in England.
"We are gradually building up to the first Test match. For me, consistency is crucial in England. This includes consistent practice and off-field routines. Finding what works for each individual is essential. Our bowling attack boasts a great variety of skill sets," he noted.
"We are pleased with our progress so far. Initially, I was concerned about the limited red-ball matches we’ve played, but observing the players' movements and training over the last three days has been encouraging. We have a talented group, and it’s vital to enter a Test series with confidence and team spirit, which they have demonstrated well so far," he concluded.
India's squad includes: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.