Protea bowling hotshots’ returns go just swimmingly

If the Proteas have a full cupboard of fast bowlers fit and firing for the Test series against India next month, they can give a large chunk of the credit to the Titans.

The Centurion-based franchise had the difficult responsibility of getting no less than four national quicks – Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris and Lungi Ngidi – back to match fitness during the Ram Slam T20 challenge.

And it’s arguably gone as well as it could’ve.

Steyn, who took 6 wickets and conceded less than seven per over, and the exciting Ngidi, who boasts 10 wickets, were the biggest winners.

“Dale passed with flying colours. He was very nervous in his first game and even bowled a no-ball with his first delivery back,” said Titans coach Mark Boucher.

“He’s just progressed from there and he’s in great shape at the moment. The plan was for him to play five games in this tournament. He’ll work now towards building for Test match bowling.”

The gifted Ngidi, who’s still only 21, delighted all and sundry with his potent performances but it’s a worry that his body already needs to be managed to carefully.

“He’s been fantastic. We’ve had to manage him throughout. Travelling and then playing is not good for his back, that’s what the medical staff say. So we’ve had to give him a few games off,” said Boucher.

Morris’ introduction has been more gentle – he’s only played three matches to date – but is getting “better and better” while his batting looks customarily powerful.

But the biggest bonus was the return, albeit short one, of Morne Morkel.

It had been expected the lanky quick wouldn’t recover in time from a side strain yet he managed to play in last Sunday’s match against the Dolphins.

Pleasingly, he took 2/25 in his four-over spell.

“Morne came back and immediately hit his straps. The guys have been working really hard,” said Boucher.

The man who’s had to managed them on the field, Titans skipper Albie Morkel, also expressed his encouragement.

“There are many good signs,” said the former national all-rounder.

“The danger was that all of them came back from serious injuries, lower backs and shoulders. They’ve constantly improved. They probably do need a little more game-time to be really ready for international cricket but from my side I saw men moving in the right direction in every game.”

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