Inputs of AB de Villiers will definitely help the team: Chris Morris

AB De Villiers inputs can help South Africa to level the series. File Pic
AB De Villiers will decide series.
File Pic

Internet Desk: South Africa is on the verge of losing their first One Day series as they are already 0-3 down in a six match series against India. The hosts can draw the series by winning all the three remaining matches starting with the fourth game on Saturday.

AB de Villiers, making a comeback after recovering from his finger injury that ruled him out in the first three games. According to Proteas all rounder Chris Morris de Villiers was under no pressure.

The home side had no answer to face, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. De Villiers is the best player of spin among the South Africa batsmen and expected to perform well in Johannesburg.
He got an average of close to 60 in 2017 but, De Villiers didn’t really get on top of spinners as he was dismissed twice in three games by spinners in the Champions Trophy against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Last year he got out six times out of 13 thirteen times and also dismissed thrice by wrist spinners and once by left-arm orthodox.

“AB has always got inputs – it doesn’t matter if it’s spin, seam, behind the back,” quipped Morris. “It doesn’t matter what inputs he’s got, it’s always good. I’m sure AB will have a few pointers for the guys on how to handle spin and how to play spin, maybe a few different attacking options. He’s got advice for everything and it’s always solid. When AB talks, you listen because it’s always helpful.”

“AB is AB, he is good to go. He brings a lot on and off the field the calmness and experience. He always has the game inputs for spin or seam. Am sure AB has a few pointers for guys on how to play spin, how to handle spin, maybe taking attacking options,” said Chris Morris.

“The guys have done a lot more homework in the last day,” Morris said at the Wanderers on Friday. “We had a chat about it in Cape Town and we’ve just got to take it on the chin. We haven’t been playing them well; we’ve been a bit tentative towards them. But we don’t need to change anything. We don’t need to hit more balls. The only way we can combat that is doing a bit more homework and focusing on what’s going on ahead of us.”

“Obviously in Durban I had to consolidate and eat up a bit of pressure and bat some time, Centurion we don’t really need to talk about, I had to play my game. The situation plays a role in that. If we are 100 for no-loss after 11 overs when the spinners come on, I tell you what we’re not going to sit back. It’s simple as that; you are going to play your game because we are on the front foot. Every time the spinners have come on, we’ve been on the back foot unfortunately. So that’s all situation based. If we decide to go, we go. If we don’t, we soak up a bit of pressure and see them out, then that’s obviously what the game plan is in that moment and on the day.” Morris said .

The wicket has been in focus as ICC declared Wanderers as a poor pitch in the final Test last month. “Everyone in the camp is hoping for the old Wanderers wicket, not good for spin but a good wicket.” Morris added.