Morne Morkel stands by David Warner to deliver in ICC World Cup 2019

The cricketing world is still not sure whether tainted Australian cricketer David Warner will play in the upcoming ICC World Cup in England and Wales but former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel believes the dashing opening batsman will make a strong comeback. The 34-year-old backed Warner to prove the doubters wrong but putting up power-packed performances in the WC kicking off on May 30. Warner, along with Steve Smith, is nearing the end of their year-long ban in connection to a ball-tampering incident in South Africa last March.

Warner and Smith have played in franchise cricket in the time of suspension though of late, both the players are nursing elbow injuries that they curiously sustained while playing in Bangladesh Premier League last month. The injury of Smith looks more serious as he underwent surgery and needs some weeks for recovery. Warner’s injury was comparatively less worrying and he is said to have recovered well.

Warner’s one-year-long suspension for proven involvement in trying to alter the condition of the ball during the 2018 Cape Town Test ends on March 29. And he has almost recovered from the recently sustained injury as well.

‘You always felt under pressure when bowling against Warner’

“For sure, he’s a world-class player, and when bowling against him you always felt under pressure. You needed to be on the money from the word go and they’re the sort of guys you want in your team – players who have that x-factor to take the game away from you,” Morkel was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald at nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground where he met Warner who came there to receive treatment.

Co-incidentally, the infamous Test series between South Africa and Australia was also the last international assignment of Morkel, who has nearly 550 international wickets. He was the man of the match in that particular Test in Cape Town where disaster struck the Kangaroos.

Morne, who met Warner for the first time since the SA series, said he had no doubt that the hard-hitting batsman will be back for Australia when he is fit and ready. He added that it will be great to see Smith and Warner play and that will help Australia.

“I just hope they can get fit as quick as possible and get ready for that World Cup. It’ll add a bit of spice to the World Cup, which is good for the game.”

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