"The margins to him are just so small" - Morne Morkel opens up on plans for Travis Head that failed miserably on Day 2 of 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test
Team India's bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed that the visitors planned to bowl a little bit more over the wicket and keep a straighter line to Travis Head in the ongoing Test in Brisbane. He, however, admitted that India failed to execute their plans as they leaked runs once the ball got older and softer.
Australia dominated Day 2 of The Gabba Test on Sunday, December 15. Resuming their first innings at 28-0, they went to stumps at 405-7 after 101 overs. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed the Aussie openers cheaply, while Nitish Kumar Reddy accounted for Marnus Labuschagne. However, Head (152) and Steven Smith (101) added 241 runs for the fourth wicket to frustrate India.
Speaking at the press conference following the end of the second day's play, Morkel shed light on India's failed bowling plans for Head. The former Proteas pacer said (as quoted by Rediff.com):
“Our plan going into this game was to bowl a little bit more over the wicket, a straighter line. We felt he played it quite nicely in Adelaide when we came around (the wicket). The margins to him are just so small and like I said, once he's in, what is the best way for the team and for you (is) to maybe slow down the scoring rate because you know he's going to be aggressive.
“The best way (of controlling Head) is bringing a little bit of control into the game and like I said, from over 50 with that softer ball, that's where we're leaking (runs). When Head comes on straight, the pitch kind of feels to (be favorable) a side," Morkel added.
The 40-year-old also lamented the fact that India's bowlers are unable to control the flow of runs once the ball get soft. He admitted that the visitors definitely need to improve in that area.
“First of all, we can say he's (Head) in pretty good form. But I think for us with the ball, if you look at it from overs 50 to 80, even in the last game, is where we fall short, leaking (runs) a little bit. So, that's one area I think we need to get better at," Morkel said.
While Head slammed 18 fours in his 160-ball knock, Smith hit 12 fours in his innings that lasted 190 deliveries.
"Can't fault the effort from the other seamers" - Morne Morkel analyzes India's bowling performance
Lead pacer Bumrah was terrific for India once again, claiming 5-72 in 25 overs. The rest of the three pacers only managed to pick up two wickets among themselves. While India's bowlers came in for a lot of criticism over their unimpressive performance, Morkel backed them. He commented:
“I thought Akash (Deep) did really well, he bowled his heart out, same for Siraj. Siraj struggled, cramped, early on in the day, so, for him to still run in, close and bowl short balls and bowl that new ball spell for me, was great."
“Of course, you need somebody to back him (Bumrah) up, but I honestly can't fault the effort from the other seamers today," Morkel added.
While Akash Deep registered figures of 0-78 from 24.4 overs, Mohammed Siraj picked up 1-97 from 22.2 overs and Nitish Reddy 1-65 from 13 overs.