Chris Morris excluded from the squad for 3rd Test

Pace bowling all-rounder Chris Morris will fly back home from South Africa’s touring team in New Zealand on Friday, reducing their sides total number of pacers to five. With off-spinner Dane Piedt set to join the team to bolster the spin options for the important Hamilton Test, Morris probably was a surplus to the team.

That means Morris will again have to wait until July when England will host South Africa. At present, he has played only 2 Tests. Morris’ departure leaves the Proteas with Wayne Parnell and back-up was Duanne Olivier to the pace pack of Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada. One among the three quicks or a batsman will make way for Piedt in Hamilton if South Africa opt to play with two spinners. The Test begins on March 25.

Last week, Morris was signed as a star player for the Caribbean Premier League. He has also been IPL’s biggest South African beneficiary, who sold for US$625,000 at the 2013 auction and US$1 million three years later.

In the 2015-16 summer, when South Africa’s bowling department was depleted by injuries, Morris debuted at the New Year’s Test against England. He made a better impression as a batsman with 69 in his first match and he was seen taking that form into limited-overs’ cricket as well.

A week after being picked up by Delhi Daredevils for million dollars, he proved his mettle and repaid the investment made in him. He later struck 62 off 38 balls to guide South Africa to a draw in the fourth match of a five-game rubber against England and continuing that form, took his team to a similarly thrilling victory in a T20. But his bowling did not light up the park as much as his batting did and he struggled through the 2016 World T20.