Morne Morkel says the Proteas need to do the basics well and cut out the errors if they are to secure a series-levelling win at Trent Bridge.
Ill-discipline cost the Proteas dearly in the first-innings, during which a staggering 13 no-balls were bowled, with Joe Root being handed multiple lifelines in his punishing knock of 190. From a personal point of view, Morkel spoke of the necessity of rhythm during his spells.
‘It’s not acceptable, it is a controllable. For me personally, I need a lot of rhythm, and timing is crucial for me. I feel that the more I bowl in a Test match the better my timing becomes at the crease,’ Morkel said.
The seamer also said he has moved on from dismissing Root off a no-ball, the 12th such occasion in his Test career.
‘It was unfortunate that I did bowl that no-ball, that is the sort of thing you don’t want to give quality players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes. If you give them the extra life you are going to get punished for that. The only thing I can do is to keep on working to get the foot behind the line,’ Morkel said.
Morkel also highlighted the importance of focusing on one or two aspects of their preparation, given that the team only have two training sessions in between Tests.
‘There isn’t a lot of time, you don’t want to waste too much energy on working on too many things. The best thing for us is to polish and do the basic things that we can control. That is the way we started this morning and we will build up until we play on Friday,’ said Morkel.
He also praised the efforts of the Proteas bowlers to rip through the England batting lineup on day four, picking up nine wickets for only 114 runs. He did, however, lament the end to the match, which saw the tourists crash to a 211-run defeat in pursuit of 331.
‘The way we fought back into the Test match, when we walked off the field after our second innings chasing 300, we felt we had a chance, unfortunately, we couldn’t deliver,’ he said.
The Proteas will be seeking their third victory at Trent Bridge and the first since 1965.
