Morne Morkel reveals conversation with Mohammed Siraj ahead of 5th Test against England

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has revealed that there were selection discussions with Mohammed Siraj ahead of the fifth Test match against England. Siraj had played all four Test matches against England and his workload was been monitored by the team’s think tank.

The right-arm pacer has thus far bowled 181.2 overs and he is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 20 scalps. Siraj is known to give his absolute best in every spell he bowls and always came up with a lion-hearted effort.

Morkel revealed Siraj wanted to play for the team despite playing all the four Test matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar series.

“The guy is always putting his hands up, saying I want to do it for the team. Even before the start of the Test, there were conversations with him to just check how he was feeling mentally and how he is feeling physically because of the amount of overs. But, he was the first guy to say – listen, I want to play this Test match. I want to win it for the team,” Morne Morkel said in a pre-match press conference.

The former South African fast bowler said Siraj recognised that he had to take the onus on his shoulders in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.

“For him, it is recognizing the moment that he is the leader of the attack when Jasprit is not playing. I am not saying that he is shying away from it when Booms is there. But, you need to set the tone as the new ball bowler. The guy has played 30-40 Tests, so he just enjoys the opportunity when it’s given to him.”

On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna has figures of 3-109 in the second innings at the Oval after taking four wickets in the first dig. Morkel said Krishna has grown in confidence on England tour.

“Prasidh has found a bit of confidence on this tour. If you looked at the first Test match to where he is today, his consistency, his line and lengths, I think, have improved a lot. He’s a guy that, I believe, can be a very good Test bowler. He’s need a bit of time. He needs to be backed. He’s the guy that can produce that magic ball for you with that extra bounce and pace.”

England ended the day’s play at 339-6 and need another 35 runs to win.