Chris Morris' batting has surprised me, says Graeme Smith

Former South African captain Graeme Smith confessed that Chris Morris’ batting prowess in the recent times has pleasantly surprised him. Graeme Smith mentioned about his hitting abilities down the order in his column om ICC’s website.

Chris Morris presence in any side completely changes the balance of the side, be it Delhi Daredevils or the South African team. According to Smith, Morris holds the key to South African’s success in the tournament and the think-tank of South Africa should entrust Morris with the new ball and Morne Morkel being the first change in the lineup.

Graeme Smith, who would be behind the mic throughout the entirety of the tournament, also commented that he was pleased to see the way he struck the ball in the IPL. Proteas would want Morris to replicate his form in the IPL with the bat in the ongoing tournament.

South Africa- A much improved all-round side

“One area I think the side has improved in is in the all-rounder’s department. It was something I mentioned in my last column, and the likes of Chris Morris coming in and doing well means the side looks well balanced,” said Smith. “What I think the selectors need to avoid is shying away from picking frontline bowlers in favour of bolstering the batting with all-rounders.” quoted Smith in his column on ICC’s website.

The 36-year-old then stated that together with the likes of Morris, Rabada and Morkel, South African bowling attack looks formidable. “For me, Morris has earned the right to start. He has looked a good option with both bat and ball, and if the attack also then contains Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir, there is a very attacking nature to it and I believe they possess the ability do some damage on most surfaces in England,” commented the former South African skipper. South Africa plays Sri Lanka today in the first fixture of Gr0up B.