We are hungry for a win: Morne Morkel

Yet to get points on the table in the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013, the Delhi Daredevils trained hard at the Feroz Shah Kotla ahead of their clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday evening. Although they have suffered losses in all three of their matches leading up to the game on Friday the team is positive in their minds. 

“It is not the best start in the tournament but luckily we have identified the areas where we have gone wrong. And it is just one of those things that you need to get better and hopefully now, from tomorrow we can get the momentum that we need going to go forward in the competition. The mood is very, very good the guys are still in very good spirit. We saw last year with Chennai Super Kings, they lost the first few games in a row and then they made it to the final. We are fully positive and we believe that tomorrow in front of the home crowd we can deliver something special,” Morne Morkel told the media on the eve of the match. 

With the batting weakened, bowling will be the strength of the Daredevils. However, with the Kotla wicket not known to assist pace, DD were asked how they would be working on it? Morkel explained, “Last year our seam attack did well at Kotla and we do have certain plans that we need to execute tomorrow. The conditions are probably different than back home and what I am used to but it is our home ground and we need to use it to our advantage. If it is changing pace or bowling death overs, on the day we need to be street smart and just need to adapt to the conditions a lot quicker. In the last couple of games, we were quite slow to adjust to the conditions and I think it is very important as a bowling unit that we communicate on the field and with the guys bowling first change and second change and those coming back to know what to expect”. 

Discussing their opposition who have come into the game with two wins and a loss, he said, “There have quality international and very good local players in the side and they are a very dangerous team. They have some guys who can change the momentum quite quickly and we need to try and stop those guys and get some early wickets and also score some runs upfront. We are looking (forward) to a fantastic game tomorrow. We are very hungry for a win so I think tomorrow s going to be a very special day.”

Plagued with injuries to key players like Virender Sehwag, Kevin Pietersen the team is keenly awaiting the former to take guard for the team. The senior opener was seen having a go at the ball in the nets and besides the team the fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the crease.

Speaking about Sehwag’s injury status and availability, the pacer said, “Viru is improving everyday and feeling much better. But I think we will make a decision tomorrow before the game. Couple of hours, three four hours before the match, (hopefully) he will recover tonight and he will make a decision tomorrow but he is definitely improving a lot and we can’t wait to have him in the starting XI.”

Asked about playing against fellow South African Dale Steyn, the tall pacer said, “There is no competition with Dale. I am a massive fan of Dale Steyn and he is No 1 in the world so to me to try and take him on would be a bit silly. He has helped me quite a lot with my game and it is fantastic playing with him and so I am a massive fan and am sure that he is going to be up for challenge against David Warner and Sehwag, if he plays. And I think it is going to be a good showcase of cricket tomorrow. And we also have Ishant Sharma bowling well and inside the game and Umesh and other guys.” 

source: iplt20.com