WATCH: Chris Morris’ gets a (friendly) Proteas ultimatum
National coach Ottis Gibson has already made his presence felt on the all-rounder by changing his action for a very specific reason...
Chris Morris won’t quite be bowling like this anymore. Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images.
If there’s one example of new Proteas coach Ottis Gibson stamping his authority, it’s Chris Morris.
The 30-year-old has had his bowling action changed by the West Indian because “it simply isn’t good enough”.
And he won’t get a look-in at international level again if he doesn’t adapt.
.@Tipo_Morris (Chris Morris) on his comeback. #RAMSlam pic.twitter.com/OBk4VRXtOo
— Heinz Schenk (@sportmal) November 7, 2017
“I’ve had a few tweaks in my action that Ottis has changed,” said the genial Titans all-rounder, who’s in the final stretch of recovering from a lower back injury.
“I had to iron them out because it wasn’t good enough – simple as that. Once I’ve done that I should be good to play, but that’s dependent on the injury.”
Gibson’s tough attitude, however, isn’t a sign that he doesn’t rate Morris.
In fact, he wants him in the Proteas mix.
“It’s always good to know that the coach is backing the guys who aren’t playing, especially with injuries because that’s part of the game,” said Morris.
With the national team currently experiencing a shortage of top-class bowlers, Gibson can hardly neglect a fine but inconsistent talent like Morris.
“My action got tweakend because I think in striving for a bit of extra pace, there was some twisting in my action. I’ve got quite a bad kick-out with my left foot before I land. I was getting lazy and doing quite a lot of twisting, which caused a lot of pressure on my lower back and inevitably caused the injury,” he said.
“If I didn’t get injured I still would have had to change it. In bowling you like to work in straight lines, and I was working along the wrong lines.”
Morris has nothing but praise for his new national mentor.
“I’ve only had a week and a half with him and he’s been excellent. He’s been doing this for a long time and has a lot of experience. It’s quite clear what our plans are going forward as a team.”
Morris will start bowling in the nets on Wednesday.
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