Chris Morris all set to make his long-awaited return to first-class cricket

South Africa’s Chris Morris is set to return to action after the bowling all-rounder was forced to the sidelines owing to an injury he incurred earlier in the year. He suffered from a back problem during their tour of England and has been out of action since.

However, now the 30-year-old looks set to make a long-awaited return for the Titans in Wednesday’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge match against the Lions in Johannesburg. Despite Morriss’ absence, the Titans have been in scintillating form in the domestic T20 competition and are the outright favourites to lift the title.

One of the country’s highest-paid players due to his lucrative IPL deal with the Delhi Daredevils, Morris last featured for the Proteas in their third Test against England at the Oval that started on July 27 this year. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis had given Morris the freedom to be aggressive on the England tour and though he thrived in that mode, it caused inflammation and strain in the muscles of the lower back which forced him to leave the tour midway.

It could have led to a stress fracture and even now, Morris knows, they can re-appear. For him, right now the most important thing will be staying match-fit so that he doesn’t face any hindrance before the international season for the Proteas kick off.

South Africa facing severe fast bowling crisis

South Africa is supposed to face Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth in a four-day Boxing Day Test before they host India in three Test matches, six ODIs, and three T20Is.

But they have been cursed with a severe fast bowling crisis, with as many as four bowlers under rehabilitation. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Wayne Parnell are also out of action due to various injuries. While Philander is back playing first-class cricket, the other three are expected to feature in Ram Slam later.