Morris: One of SA's best strikers

12 November 2017 - 00:00 By KHANYISO TSHWAKU

In another life, Proteas and Titans all-rounder Chris Morris would have been Peter Schmeichel in the late 1990s or Nemanja Matic in the current José Mourinho dispensation at Manchester United.
That tells you everything you need to know about "Tipo's" football affiliation.
"My dad [Willie Morris] was a goalkeeper, I played soccer but I see myself in the Nemanja Matic role. I distribute, I do a lot of running and every now and then, you'll see an unbelievable header from me. Just ask Neil McKenzie about that.
"He was in Potchefstroom to witness the two goals I scored with my head. You also need to ask Kagiso Rabada. I've still got him in my pocket somewhere. I'd also like to show that I'm one of South Africa's best strikers," Morris joked.
Away from his love of the beautiful game, Morris has had to battle back from a lower-back injury that not only ended his participation during the England series, but has temporarily put him at the back of the all-rounder queue.
Back of the queue
The recent introductions of Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo have lengthened that list while Vernon Philander, Wayne Parnell and Dwaine Pretorius work their way into some form. Not that this bothers Morris, who knows he has to work hard to get back into the reckoning.
He started bowling off his full run this week, with the all-rounder noting his need to bowl faster as the main reason for his back injury.
"Every team wants a new Jacques Kallis or Ben Stokes. A team with more all-rounders in the shorter formats will be the better side. But to be a test all-rounder you have to be exceptionally good at what you do," Morris said.
"I've been told the coach [Ottis Gibson] speaks highly of me but I'm not expecting to walk into the team again. I believe I've to fight my way back to the team and I have to put in the domestic performances to be recognised. I can't just walk back.
All-rounder boom
"When the guys ahead of you are better than you, they should get selected ahead of you. It also comes with time where the more experience you gain in a different facet, the better you get with the requisite experience in that potential format.
"It's a good time to be an all-rounder in South Africa because you have the likes of Wiaan and Andile coming through and they're unbelievably promising."
Being 30, Morris watched South Africa's all-rounder boom and felt the current crop is somewhere close to replicating that golden period.
"It is a tough one but bar Kallis, the majority of the guys in the 1990s were experienced and in their 30s while the current group is quite young.
"While there are some of us who've been around, there are the youngsters. I need to answer this question in two years' time and I'll have a better response."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.