Rising Australian quick Lance Morris believes his best chance of a Test debut in the upcoming India tour could come in the opening match of the series as the ‘The Wild Thing’ prepares for his nickname to stick during a maiden overseas cricket trip.
Morris, the 24-year-old tearaway fast bowler from Western Australia whose deliveries can hit 150km/h, has been included in Australia’s 18-man Test squad for four Tests in India.
Lance Morris has been included in Australia’s 18-man Test squad for next month’s Test series in India. Credit:Getty Images
Australian selection chairman George Bailey has said left-arm quick Mitchell Starc will miss the first Test in Nagpur, beginning on February 9, due to a finger injury sustained in the Boxing Day Test.
Australia are expected to play an extra spinner to complement Nathan Lyon as a result of spin-friendly pitches that are normally offered up in India.
However, Starc’s air-speed – how quickly the ball travels through the air before bouncing – is a point of difference compared to other members of Australia’s attack.
In Morris, Australia have a fast bowler who can genuinely strike fear into opponents with blistering speeds.
Whether Morris can maintain his pace in difficult Indian conditions is the big question.
Selectors have discussed the possibility of a like-for-like switch – Morris in for Starc – but it will be dependent on conditions.
Morris, who is set to play for the Perth Scorchers against the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash on Friday, said he was “absolutely” targeting a Test debut in Nagpur.
“I am doing absolutely everything I can to be as ready as possible,” Morris told reporters. “If we’re talking honestly, that’s probably my best chance of playing over there. We’ll see what happens.
“It’s nice to be back competing. I was probably bowling to the back of the net for about four or five weeks there, so it’s nice to be out there in the middle and bowling to some of the best batters going around at the moment.
“I’m really excited to go away. It’s my first overseas tour in a cricketing sense. It’s going to be a huge learning experience for me to be honest.”
In the first Test of the 2013 series in India, Australia made 380 in their first innings at Chennai before James Pattinson had success against the home side’s top order.
Pattinson bowled all top three batsmen in Murali Vijay, Virender Sehwag and Cheteshwar Pujara before finishing with innings figures of 5-96.
Although Australia lost the Test, it showed spin doesn’t always dominate on the subcontinent.
Lance Morris sends one down for the Perth Scorchers.Credit:Getty
Morris is making sure he bowls enough balls during the back-end of the BBL season when workloads are limited.
“If I’m playing [BBL], then I’ll bowl my four overs in and try and get a few more in on top, either before or after the game,” Morris said. “If I’m on the sidelines, then I’ll be out the back of the nets just making sure I have the numbers under my belt.”
As for the ‘Wild Thing’ nickname, Morris noted that former Australia bowler Shaun Tait had happily passed on the nickname that he carried during his career. Morris has learned the more you fight it, the harder it is to shake.
“I’ve probably just come to terms with it,” Morris said. “First I resisted it a bit, so it stuck even harder. I saw Shaun Tait has passed the baton apparently. We’ll take it.
“It’s been around for a while. It’s just white noise for me. It’s at WA level as well, that’s where it started. I’m stuck with it now. I’m glad there’s a bit of buzz. It’s pretty cool to see. I’m just excited to get out there and bowl fast.”
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