Share

AB: This will shape Morris

Cape Town - Chris Morris has struggled to get into the Proteas side in this ODI series, but after Friday night he will surely be one of the first names on the team sheet for Sunday's series finale in Cape Town. 

Morris struck an explosive 62 from 38 balls at the Wanderers in the fourth ODI to rescue South Africa and catapult them to a 1-wicket win.

The result means that the series is tied at 2-2 going into the Valentine's Day decider.  

Morris has broken into both the Test and ODI sides and he is also a member of the 15-man squad for next month's World Twenty20 in India. 

And, according to his captain AB de Villiers, Friday night's performance was one that has the potential to have a major impact on his career. 

"It’s knocks like that that shape a player. I think it’s massive for Chris what happened tonight," De Villiers said after the match.

"This game is all about confidence and finding ways to get confidence and knocks like this really lift someone above that bar. We always knew what he was capable as a player at this level."

De Villiers also had praise for Farhaan Behardien, who got South Africa back into the game with David Wiese before he was expertly caught and bowled by Reece Topley for 38. 

"Fudgie is a big-match player, he always has been," said De Villiers.

"He’s proved it time and time again at domestic level and he’s started to prove it now at international level as well after the last year or so.

"He’s really playing big knocks under pressure. Situations like tonight are huge pressure to chase it down, and he is expected to do so.

"Unfortunately he got out there but he set it up nicely for guys like Chris to come in and finish it off."

De Villiers recalled what it was like being 2-0 down in the series, and he hopes now that the momentum has swung back in his side's favour ahead of the decider.

"We know what it feels like being 2-0 down. It’s a horrible feeling and you don’t really know where to go," he said.

"You just go out there and fight as much as you can and I guess they’re in that boat now."

Sunday's clash starts at 10:00.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1118 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1283 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1978 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE