IPL 2023: We’ve got Quinton de Kock coming in, so it has to be a selection headache – Morne Morkel on Kyle Mayers’ form

Lucknow Super Giants bowling coach Morne Morkel has admitted that the team’s think tank will have a sweet selection headache ahead of their next match. With Quinton de Kock coming into the squad after completing his national commitments, it will be interesting to note the opening partnership given Kyle Mayers has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

Mayers scored a rollicking knock of 73 runs off just 38 balls in the opening match against Delhi Capitals and then scored another fine knock of 53 runs off just 22 balls against Chennai Super Kings on Monday.

On the other hand, Quinton de Kock had amassed 508 runs in 15 matches at an average of 36.29 and a blistering strike rate of 148.97 in IPL 2022 for LSG. Furthermore, the southpaw recently smashed 100 off just 44 balls in the second T20I against West Indies as South Africa chased down the highest successful target (259) in the short format of the game.

Morkel said at a post-match press conference: “I played with Mayers a little bit at St Lucia Zouks back in the day in the CPL. It is just amazing to see him the way he has moved on and sort of progressed into a quality white-ball player. I saw him in Durban and he played these sorts of innings as well. Upfront he puts the bowlers under pressure. It’s great to see Kyle Mayers in top form.

“We’ve got Quinton de Kock coming in the next day or two so it has to be a selection sort of headache, but luckily that’s not for me to think about. It’s fantastic to see him up front, firing and in form. If your international players are going well in this tournament it’s always a bonus.”

On the other hand, Morkel also showered praise on Mark Wood, who bowled an expensive spell of 49 runs in his four overs but took three wickets against CSK. Wood was brilliant against DC as he returned with impressive figures of 5-14.

“There’s a lot to like about Mark Wood’s bowling. He is running in. He is bowling in the 150s. He is bowling that aggressive length. He is a strike bowler for us. For me it is essential to sit with him and work out what we are going to expect from certain surfaces.

“It is only his third game in the IPL. In his first game (a couple of years ago), he played for Chennai. I think it was quite expensive, and then he played in the previous night against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow and took a fantastic five-for, so he is still finding his feet in the sub-continent, especially in the IPL where the margins are tough.”

LSG will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Lucknow on Friday.