Cricket World Cup 2011
Morné: My day will come
2011-03-09 14:44
Morne Morkel (Gallo)
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Nagpur - South African paceman Morné Morkel on Wednesday said he was confident of returning to his wicket-taking ways soon and playing a key role in his team's Cricket World Cup campaign.
The 26-year-old, who has bagged just two wickets in his last three matches on low, slow Indian pitches, said he just needed to continue doing the right things ahead of big matches.
South Africa will clash with India in a high-profile Group B match in Nagpur on Saturday.
"It's a funny game. A couple of months ago, you are getting wickets and things are going well," said Morkel, who took 12 wickets against India in a home one-day series before the World Cup.
"If I can bowl dot balls and keep the one end tight, then I think I've done my job. It will be great to get wickets. We have some important games to come so I know that my day will come soon.
"I haven't changed anything. I have to keep on doing the right thing and I am sure the rewards will come at a later stage."
South Africa relied more on pace in the past, but the role has been reversed in this tournament as spinners Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha played big roles in their team's wins over the West Indies and the Netherlands.
"In a way it's quite nice. The wickets we have played on so far have turned. It's basically a reverse role now and we try to support spinners as much as we can," said Morkel, who has taken 67 wickets in 41 one-dayers.
"Imran and all other guys have been bowling well. The most important thing for us is to bowl in partnership and create pressure."
Morkel said reverse-swing would help pacemen to keep pressure on rival batsmen on sub-continental pitches.
"Reverse swing will be the key and the quicker we get that going the better for us," said Morkel.
The South African said his side needed to adjust themselves quickly to the conditions.
"We've played against India in the past couple of months (at home). We know more or less what to expect. But the conditions here will be different," said the fast bowler.
The South African said his team had put behind them last weekend's six-run defeat to England in Chennai when they failed to chase down a 172-run target.
"It's a brand new day. It's a new week and a new challenge we are looking forward to. It's a big game of the tournament now against India and we also want to get the momentum going. We've learnt our lessons," said Morkel.
"We have three games left and we are focusing on our next challenge and that's India."
South Africa have happy memories of this venue as they thrashed India by an innings in the opening Test in February 2010.