Australia v South Africa: Dale Steyn helped mould rising Aussie quick Lance Morris as selection call looms
There is a sense of irony as Australia’s bolt from the blue prepares for a possible call-up against South Africa. Will he play the Sydney Test?
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The irony of Lance ‘The Wild Thing’ Morris’ likely blood and thunder Test debut at the SCG on Wednesday is that South Africa’s greatest ever bowler played a role as his mentor.
Dale Steyn was a key factor in helping launch Morris’ journey in professional cricket when the Melbourne Stars signed the young West Australian tearaway in the Big Bash.
Steyn – arguably the bowler of his generation and one of the greatest quicks in the history of the game – became an instant sounding board for Morris, who was like a sponge, soaking up everything he could from the Stars’ overseas pro.
Now that grounding with a South African legend could come back to bite the Proteas in the third Test, as Australia prepares to make a final call on unleashing the 150km/h beast in Sydney.
“Dale was brilliant with everyone, and I remember Lance going one day, ‘how good is this, I’m bowling out in the middle with Dale Steyn,’” then Melbourne Stars list guru and now BBL talent expert, Trent Woodhill recalls of the dynamic between young buck and old bull.
“To me, Dale deserves to be spoken of in the same terms as Dennis Lillee, Malcolm Marshall and Wasim Akram.
“Dale is in that category. He was an absolute freak.
“Sharing a dressing room with Dale Steyn (was invaluable). He was fantastic with his interaction and knowledge.
“I remember having a conversation with Lance saying to him, ‘honestly, chew Dale’s ear off. Ask him as many questions as you can.’
Just being in the presence of greatness doesn’t necessarily mean the magic rubs off – and sometimes young players feel they know everything already.
Not Morris.
By all reports, Morris has defined himself as a respectful, humble young man, willing and wanting to learn.
That’s how the Australians have found the 24-year-old since he came into the camp as a bolt from the blue after Josh Hazlewood broke down in the first Test.
Morris’ has embraced the experience of being around Australia’s veteran fleet of 200-plus wicket superstars and has invested himself wholeheartedly into the cause, not knowing whether his opportunity to debut would even come.
“In particular myself and Andre Adams (bowling coach) working with him last week while the other coaches were out watching the game,” Josh Hazlewood said.
“In lunch breaks when we were working together we’re always chatting. He loves bowling and the little things that go with it. He’s learning all the time. He’s a good guy.”
Australia is yet to confirm its team, but there is a strong feeling Morris’ is on the verge of a stunning debut.
Hazlewood said the hype is real when it comes to Morris.
“It’s just raw pace. Usually when you get that in a youngster they spray them around a bit but his accuracy is very good for that sort of pace,” Hazlewood said.
“We were just working on a few different things with reverse swing and potentially bowling on a wicket like this. His pace is definitely exciting.”
Tait urges new ‘Wild Thing’ to tear it up
— Robert Craddock and Ben Horne
Speed king Shaun Tait has gladly handed over his “Wild Thing’’ nickname to Lance Morris, urging him to “tear it up’’ and be the destroyer Australian fans are craving.
Raw-blooded West Australian Morris, tipped to play in the third Test against South Africa, has been dubbed the Wild Thing in honour of former express quick Tait who told News Corp he was happy to hand over a moniker he never loved in the first place.
“I saw something the other day where he (Morris) said there was only one Wild Thing and that was me (Tait),’’ Tait said from Karachi where is was based as Pakistan bowling coach for the first Test against New Zealand.
“But I thought “no, mate … take it and run with it. It’s all yours. Please … let me retire in peace.’’
Tait, clocked at a scorching 161.1kph in a 50 over game against England, believes the benefits of playing Morris in Sydney stretch well beyond the boundary.
“He is a breath of fresh air. We have some great fast bowlers but maybe Australia needs another tearaway. Australia have a great team but I sense the Australian public are not crash hot on them for some reason and having someone just come in and tear it up might really change things and get a lot more people watching the game.
“I think Australian sport in general would love watching someone come in and rip in. You have to be prepared to be different. He’s not going to be Glenn McGrath or Pat Cummins. I wouldn’t put pressure on him about his speed. I would say “just run in and entertain.’’
Tait played just three Tests but had some memorable moments in Australia’s 2007 World Cup win in the West Indies where he was first nicknamed the Wild Thing after Charlie Sheen’s performance as Ricky “Wild Thing’’ Vaughn in Major League.
“We had a team meeting. I was spraying the ball around and they showed Charlie Sheen, played the song and showed me bowling these wides where when Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) was diving down the leg side.
“Andrew Symonds said “you are the wild thing and that’s the way it is.’ I didn’t particularly like it. It was a bit of fun. I would play in Adelaide and they would play the song but I never loved it.’’
Tait feels Australia, with an increasing emphasis on recovery and rotation, is better placed to handle a speed weapon than in his days when the planning was not as precise.
“I don’t know him (Morris) but people are very smart about the cricket schedule and I think he will be well managed. When I played there was a bit of “what do we do with this bloke?’’
“I just hope he enjoys the ride. You can always look back and say you should have played more but if you were bowling and people sat down on the couch to watch you then you should embrace that.
“I thought I might not play 10 Tests never mind 100. Every time I turned up to bowl they would expect a lot of pace and that is what I tried to do. But that’s not for everybody. I was not the guy who would going to bowl fast for five year then slowed down to try and hit good areas. I never wanted to do that.
“I don’t know the bloke at all but just reading articles about him he seems that way as well. He comes across and very raw and honest and I feel maybe that was what I was like.’’
AGAR HAILS ‘ANIMAL’ MORRIS AHEAD OF DUO’S POTENTIAL INCLUSION
Ashton Agar has branded fellow West Australian Lance Morris an “animal’’ and “an absolute weapon’’ as the duo prepare to join Australia’s Test team against South Africa at the SCG.
All-rounder and left-arm spinner Agar is a strong chance of batting at number seven and, unless he completely misfires, will be chosen in Australia’s touring party for next month’s four Test tour of India.
Speed machine Morris is a likely inclusion in the pace attack.
“He’s an animal … an absolute weapon to be honest,’’ Agar said of Morris.
“He’s 6 foot 3, bowling 150kmh. Everyone would love to see him in the Test team and he is good enough to be there as well.
“His bowling has developed so much in the past two years from being and out and out fast bowler who bowls a lot of bouncers to someone who bowls at the stumps and uses his bouncer really well.’’
Agar’s four Test career comprises two each in England and Bangladesh. His joy at a recall has been tempered with the disappointment that his good fortune came at the expense of his injured West Australian teammate Cam Green.
“I realise Greeny has hurt himself really badly. I would much rather he be fit and well and not have a badly broken finger. It’s exciting for me personally and really unfortunate for Cam.’’
Agar cannot deny the prospect of playing in India is rich motivation for him.
“It is in my mind. I love watching the cricket over there. Playing Test match cricket in India is something I have always wanted to do.
“It is the most exciting cricket to watch on TV because the wickets have been wild. They have been spinning sideways. It’s a tour I would love to go on. I will wait and see what happens.
Agar is unsure if he will be in the starting XI for Sydney but would welcome the challenge of batting seven. His most famous cricketing deed was a stunning 98 at No 11 at Trent Bridge against England.
“If feel if I did come in it would be around that number seven mark which is really cool because I enjoy that responsibility. I think it makes you play better. You feel you have to step up and do a good job for the team.
“I love going to Sydney. I’m open and waiting to see what happens. I guess it depends on the pitch. Every time you add another spinner to the squad it is dependent on the conditions.’’
“This year they are thinking the pitch is pretty dry and will take some turn. If that is the case then I am a chance of playing. If the pitch doesn’t look like that I probably won’t play I guess.’’
GOAT RELISHING PROSPECT OF A ‘TWISTING, TURNING’ SCG PITCH
Ben Horne
Nathan Lyon is relishing the prospect of the SCG going back to its twisting, turning halcyon days, as he prepares to form a crucial bond with Ashton Agar.
The world’s No. 1 spinner returns to his home ground having pocketed the equal most amount of wickets (47) for the 2022 calendar year and extended his total tally to a staggering 458 career scalps.
Lyon would have to bowl at Test level until he’s 40 to challenge Shane Warne’s seemingly untouchable mark of 708 wickets, but who is willing to write off the GOAT?
The one irony of Lyon’s home Test is the fact the 35-year-old has had to work harder for his wickets in Sydney than any other Australian venue.
But the strong mail out of the SCG is a spinning paradise has been cooked up for the final Test against South Africa, and Lyon’s ears are pricked up.
“If the opportunity came around and it was spinning pretty similar to the Sheffield Shield game that NSW played against WA a month ago, (that would be) bloody entertaining,” Lyon told News Corp.
“It’s something I am excited about, but who knows what we’ll get.”
Australia hasn’t played a second spinner at the SCG since Steve O’Keefe back in 2017 against Pakistan, mainly because the neither here nor there batter friendly conditions haven’t warranted it.
But Agar – the left-arm spinner who captured the nation’s imagination as a 19-year-old on debut on the 2013 Ashes – is primed to play his first ever Test on home soil as Lyon’s partner in crime.
Leading into a heavy-duty Test tour of India in February Australia believes it can win, playing Lyon and Agar together could be a crucial tactic not just for whitewashing South Africa but for preparing the push for a history-making trip the sub-continent.
“Any time we’re able to play two spinners is a good opportunity for us to bond and learn how to bowl together in really good partnerships,” Lyon said.
“Hopefully we can put in some really good appearances to make sure firstly we win the Test match here in Sydney, but when we look around the corner, we’ve got four massive Test matches in India which are going to be pretty challenging conditions.”
Despite officially entering his mid-30s, Lyon has just completed arguably one of his best years in Test cricket.
Like a fine wine, Lyon is ageing well and leading Australia to a drought-breaking win in Pakistan, a draw in Sri Lanka and comprehensively contributing at home is a sign his confidence is growing as the benefit of experience begins to tell.
“I’ve come to expect that now if I’m being honest. I still think I’m improving with my bowling,” Lyon said.
“It’s exciting. Especially with the amount of cricket we have coming up around the corner.
“I’m pretty happy with it, but not satisfied.”
Lyon has worked with plenty of bowling coaches over the years, but none with over 350 Test wickets to their name like Australia’s current assistant – Daniel Vettori.
One of the best spin bowlers of his era, Vettori has helped challenge Lyon in new ways and their combined intelligence shapes as a key factor in whether Australia can climb the Everest that is defeating India in India.
“Dan has been unbelievable. His knowledge about the game but then just the willingness to sit down and talk spin bowling, you actually can’t buy it on the shelf,” Lyon said.
“You can’t get it anywhere really, unless (you work with someone who has) been able to go through those experiences.
“You can talk about those different experiences together and improve and it’s just invaluable to be honest.
“I’ve really enjoyed the partnership I’ve built with Dan and just the chance to learn off him … I’m speechless to be honest. It’s been unbelievable.”
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