Morne Morkel opens up on plans for Travis Head that failed miserably on Day 2 of 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has opened up on bowling plans for Travis Head but admitted they failed to execute them on the second day of the third Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane on Sunday. The former South African quick said the plan was to bowl a little more over the wicket and keep a straighter line against the left-hander.

However, the visitors’ plans went for a toss as Head once again took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners. The southpaw joined forces with Steve Smith when Australia were struggling at 75-3 but the duo added 241 runs to put the home team in the driver’s seat.

Head scored a brilliant knock of 152 runs off just 160 balls with the help of 18 fours as he demolished India’s bowling attack to score his ninth Test century.

Morne Morkel said in the press conference, “Our plan going into this game was to bowl a little bit more over the wicket, a straighter line. We felt he played it quite nicely in Adelaide when we came around (the wicket). The margins to him are just so small and like I said, once he’s in, what is the best way for the team and for you (is) to maybe slow down the scoring rate because you know he’s going to be aggressive.

“The best way (of controlling Head) is bringing a little bit of control into the game and like I said, from over 50 with that softer ball, that’s where we’re leaking (runs). When Head comes on straight, the pitch kind of feels to (be favorable) a side,” Morkel added.

The Indian bowling coach admitted that the bowlers are not able to restrict the flow of runs with the old ball and they must improve in that area.

“First of all, we can say he’s (Head) in pretty good form. But I think for us with the ball, if you look at it from overs 50 to 80, even in the last game, is where we fall short, leaking (runs) a little bit. So, that’s one area I think we need to get better at,” Morkel said.

Morkel added it would be unfair to fault the efforts of other bowlers as Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj bowled their hearts out. Deep was a bit unlucky throughout the day whereas Siraj gave his best despite suffering from cramps.

“I thought Akash (Deep) did really well, he bowled his heart out, same for Siraj. Siraj struggled, cramped, early on in the day, so, for him to still run in, close and bowl short balls and bowl that new ball spell for me, was great.”

“Of course, you need somebody to back him (Bumrah) up, but I honestly can’t fault the effort from the other seamers today,” Morkel added.

Australia ended the day’s play at 405-7 after centuries from Head and Smith.