Morne Morkel backs ‘world-class’ Ravindra Jadeja after spinner goes wicketless on 2nd day of 3rd BGT Test against Australia

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has put his weight behind Ravindra Jadeja after the veteran spinner went wicketless on the second day of the third Test match against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane on Sunday. Jadeja returned with figures of 0-76 in 16 overs and leaked his runs at a high economy rate of 4.80.

The left-arm orthodox spinner could not do the holding job as Steve Smith and Travis Head took the attack against him, especially after the tea break. However, Morkel said Jadeja lacks game time at the top level as he wasn’t part of the final XI in the first two Test matches against Australia.

“Jaddu, coming into this match didn’t haven’t had a lot of game time, but he’s also a guy who has taken a lot of Test wickets. He’s a very experienced player and we just felt we wanted to bring in the left-arm option as something different, you know, sitting with Rohit,” the bowling coach commented.

The former South Africa pacer added that Jadeja offers more with the bat and it played a role in his selection.

“Jaddu is a guy that can also offer us a lot with the bat, unfortunately, today if you know it wasn’t his day as a spinner. But, yeah, Jaddu for me is a world-class player and you know he’ll work it out,” Morkel added about the all-rounder.

Meanwhile, a number of cricket experts have questioned Rohit’s decision to bowl first. However, Morkel defended the call and said they would have been in a better position if they had picked up a couple of more wickets.

“I just thought, looking at the surface, if we can get the ball in the right area we can take wickets. I thought controlling the run-rate for a big part of the game and staying patient was key and if we could have added one or two wickets, winning the toss and bowling first would have worked.

“But unfortunately we are on the other side of it and we just need to take the positives out of it. So, when we do get that opportunity tomorrow it’s about getting through the new ball because I honestly feel like it’s a bit of a new ball surface. For us it’s important now to put today aside and get our minds switched on and stay strong for a big batting innings,” he added.

At the draw of stumps, Australia were 405-7 after centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith.