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Albie Morkel, the former South African all-rounder, has expressed his immense pride and excitement over his brother, Morne Morkel, being appointed as the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. In an exclusive interview with Mid-day, Albie shared his thoughts on Morne’s new role and the challenges he may face.
Albie Morkel highlights significance of coaching India’s bowling attack
Albie acknowledged the immense pressure that Morne would be under but expressed confidence in his ability to handle the challenge.
He emphasized the significance of coaching the Indian cricket team, stating, “It goes without saying that being on the Indian team’s coaching staff is probably the biggest responsibility or coaching job out there. The passion for the sport and the success that the team had in the past makes it a job with no room for error. He will be surrounded by some very good players who have achieved a lot, so I guess, for him, it’s a matter of earning their trust and believe that he can help to reach their full potential day in and day out.”
Admiring Indian bowling talents
When asked about the Indian bowlers, both past and present, that Morne might admire, Albie mentioned Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah.
He praised Bumrah’s exceptional skills adding, “Jasprit is the best all-format bowler in the world. He is very special and I’m sure Morne would love to work with him.”
Also READ: BCCI appoints South African legend Morne Morkel as Team India’s bowling coach
Balancing technique and mental aspect
Albie stressed the importance of finding the right balance between technical guidance and mental support for bowlers. He acknowledged the evolving nature of the game and the need for bowlers to focus on both aspects. Albie highlighted the significance of mental strength in sustaining longevity in the sport.
“It’s a fine line between being too technical and what’s right. I think the game has changed so much over the last decade. Younger bowlers or bowlers who struggle with injuries probably need more technical work, and after that it’s about fine tuning what you have. The mental aspect becomes very important then to sustain longevity,” said Albie.
Experience and communication skills
While Albie hasn’t worked closely with Morne on a coaching level, he believes that his vast experience in various bowling situations will be invaluable. He emphasized the importance of Morne effectively communicating his knowledge and insights to the Indian bowlers.
Albie told “I haven’t worked with him on that level, but what he has is a lot of experience in most situations that the bowlers might encounter. If he applies that in his coaching and find ways to communicate that in a way that makes sense, he will add a lot of value.”
Albie concluded by expressing his hope for Morne’s success in his new role. He believes that Morne’s expertise and dedication will make a significant contribution to the Indian cricket team’s continued success.
