Morne Morkel says Bumrah’s rhythm is impressive, highlights need for smart workload management

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel lauded Jasprit Bumrah’s intensity in England and emphasized smart workload management. He also urged all-rounder Nithish Kumar Reddy to bowl more and highlighted the need for bowlers to start strong against an aggressive England side.

Hyderabad: The team management will be smart in managing the pace ace Jasprit Bumrah on the on-going England tour, says Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel.

In a chat with the media after a training session, Morkel said that he had been “blown away” by Bumrah’s rythmn and intensity in the three sessions the team had so far on the tour.

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“Bumrah knows how to get himself ready, he knows how to prepare,”Morkel said. “I was blown away to see the energy on the ball the last three days. That’s very exciting to see. I’m happy his body is in good
shape at the moment.

“We’ll manage him with that. We’ll be smart with him because he’s obviously key for us, but in terms of the first three net sessions, a lot to be excited watching him bowl with the Dukes ball,” the former South African cricketer said.

“The more bowling options we can have, that’s great. He’s skillful. He’s a guy that can bowl that magical ball, so for him it’s about creating that consistency, it’s something we want to work on, it’s important for his game as well,” Morkel said of all-rounder Nithish Kumar Reddy. “I’ve had conversations where I’ve challenged him to bowl a bit more,” he added.

“I want to see the ball more in his hands, we all know what he can do with the bat. For a team, if we can have the bowling options especially in these conditions, I think he’ll be exciting and can complement this bowling attack,”the bowling coach said.

“The key for India to start well will be for their bowlers to hit the ground running immediately against an aggressive England line-up that will look to take a toll of errors ruthlessly,” Morkel said.

“England – the brand of cricket they play, we need to be on top of our game,” he said. “We can’t afford to find our feet in this series. That’s one of the things that has impressed me so much in the two days, the few sessions we’ve had,” he said.

“The guys have stepped up by themselves, they’ve taken the ownership and responsibility, they’ve realised it’s going to be a tough tour. That’s the pleasing thing for us as coaches, to see guys taking that
leadership and ownership at practice,” Morkel said.