IPL 2021: Match-readiness is probably going to be an issue, believes all-rounder Chris Morris

Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Chris Morris has expressed his belief that some players might find it a bit tough to be match-ready from the first game, due to the break that has been enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Morris further wishes to contribute not just with the bat and ball, but also assist captain Sanju Samson in every way possible. The Rajasthan-based franchise will resume their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign with an encounter against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dubai. Morris will be looking to make his presence felt in the absence of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. The South African is an experienced campaigner, who enjoys the ability to single-handedly tilt the game in favour of his team.

“As a senior player, the role is to keep the players calm”

“We have so many experienced players in the team, I will be at mid-off and mid-on, I’ll be having a chat with the bowlers. If we pick anything, we always relay that to captain Sanju. As a senior player, the role is to keep the players calm and I think there is pressure on players, you always need an idea,” said Morris during a webinar organised by the Rajasthan-based franchise.

“Yeah, I will be doing it anyway, whether the likes of Jos Buttler or Ben Stokes are available or not, I have been doing that my whole career. I will be helping Sanju. It is a part of the gig I suppose. I think match-readiness is probably going to be an issue. Same as IPL last year in Dubai, guys took a couple of matches to get rustiness out of their bones. I think the fortunate thing for us is that people have been playing a lot of cricket, especially overseas players. Have been pre-season at home, I think match-fitness is always the best type of fitness,” he added.

“I think a few guys will struggle to get that rustiness off. It is natural and it is going to happen. This is the nature of the beast with COVID-19. So, I think it will be the case initially, some guys have to shake off the rustiness but that is part and parcel of the game. You have to find a way and make it work,” concluded Morris.

Power-hitting has become a super strength for Liam Livingstone

England’s Liam Livingstone is eager to make his presence felt for RR in the second half of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, with the player currently in the midst of ‘the season of his career’. Livingstone left his mark in the maiden edition of the Hundred and has been a star performer for the national team as well.

“I’ve really enjoyed my cricket over the last two or three months. I certainly wouldn’t have expected to do what I’ve done – if you would’ve said at the start of the summer that this was going to happen, I wouldn’t have believed you. So, it’s nice to see my hard work of the last couple of years starting to pay off,” stated the English cricketer.