India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has stated that fast bowler Prasidh Krishna possesses the ability to bowl "magic balls" and should be given an extended run in the team to ensure he serves India for a long time. Morkel's comments came on Sunday after the fifth and final Test series decider against England was forced into a fifth day by rain. At the close of play, England needed 35 runs with four wickets remaining.
Morkel praised both Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj for their performances, which kept India in the game despite centuries from England's Joe Root and Harry Brook on day four. "In the same breath as Siraj, Prasidh has also in this tour found a bit of confidence. If you look at the first Test match to today, his consistency, his line and lengths, he improved a lot and he's a guy that I believe can be a very good Test bowler for India," said the former South Africa fast bowler. "He's just a guy that needs a bit of time and he needs to be backed with a bit of confidence and every spell, he's a guy that can create that magic ball for you with an extra bounce and pace."
Prasidh Krishna took two crucial wickets in the final session to keep India's hopes alive. Siraj, who has played all five Tests in the series, also impressed by bowling an extended eight-over spell in the morning and then building pressure alongside Prasidh in the final half-hour of the day. Siraj's ability to raise his game in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested from the Oval Test due to workload management, was noted by Morkel.
The coach revealed that before the start of the Test, the team management had a "conversation" with Siraj to assess his mental and physical state. "He was the first guy to say, ‘listen, I want to play this Test match, I want to win it for the team, so not just the bowling front but it's the attitude for me that is great," Morkel said. "You've got a guy with an attitude like that and he's willing to run all day, I'm not surprised, that's why he's got the numbers."
Morkel also commented on the state of the match, saying, "The series so far, there have been moments like that where it's sort of up and down and we finally managed to break the partnership which was great and was important for us... It's quite tough to start, no matter what."
Injured Woakes May Bat on Day 5, Says Root
Following his 39th Test century, England's Joe Root expressed that it was fitting for the series to be decided on the final day, just like the previous four matches. "It's just been that kind of series. It's been amazing to play in and quite fitting that we're going to get that kind of finish tomorrow," Root said, expressing hope that the heavy roller would benefit his team on Monday.
When asked about Chris Woakes, who was ruled out of the game on day one due to a shoulder injury, Root hinted that the all-rounder might be willing to bat if required. "You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room, so, you know, he's all in like the rest of us," Root said. "He had some throw-downs in here at one point and he's ready if needed."
Root, who has faced and excelled against some of the world's best bowlers, praised Siraj's character and competitive spirit. "He's a character. He’s a warrior, a real warrior. He's someone that you want in your team. He gives everything for India and it's credit to him for that the way he approaches cricket," Root said, adding, "He's got this fake anger about him sometimes, which I can see straight through. You can tell that he's actually a really nice lad."
The former England captain also lauded Prasidh Krishna, with whom he had a verbal exchange in the first innings. Root described Prasidh as a 'proven performer' and a 'brilliant player,' and clarified that their on-field spat was a result of his own frustration, not an issue between the two players.
Also Read: Brook, Root take England to brink of series win
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