A tough day for Morné's milestone

28 March 2017 - 10:38 By TELFORD VICE
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ARMS AND THE MAN: South Africa's Morné Morkel during a practice session ahead of today's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. South Africa won the first Test by 153 runs
ARMS AND THE MAN: South Africa's Morné Morkel during a practice session ahead of today's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. South Africa won the first Test by 153 runs

Morné Morkel became the sixth South African to claim 250 Test wickets during the third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park yesterday.

What will he remember about the milestone moment that arrived when Quinton de Kock launched leftward to catch, just above the turf, the edge Tom Latham offered?

"That it was a very hard day out on the field," Morkel said.

And how?

South Africa toiled for 78.3 overs for the four wickets they took on a day that ended with the home side seven runs ahead, with six wickets standing, and with Kane Williamson entrenched on 148 not out.

"There's only one team under pressure now and that's us. We need to come with the right attitude," Morkel said.

"We know they're going to come really hard at us in the second innings to get the win.

"A great way for us to finish our calendar would be if we can hang on."

The match is both teams' last in a season that began nine months ago.

South Africa lead the series, but victory for New Zealand would level matters.

Williamson, whose 17th Test ton put him alongside New Zealand great Martin Crowe, as the team's top century-maker, is key to the outcome.

"It's important to knock him over early," Morkel said.

"We'll attack in the morning and then assess from there."

Williamson epitomises the martial art of speaking quietly while carrying a big stick and South Africa know his wicket today may be the knockout blow.

- TMG Digital

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