IPL 2023: Kyle Mayers Has Become a Quality White-ball Player, Says Morne Morkel

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowling coach Morne Morkel applauded Kyle Mayers for being in top form in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). Mayers is currently placed second in the list of highest run-getters in IPL 2023, having scored 126 runs from two matches which came at an average of 63 and a strike rate of 210.

After his 73-run knock against David Warner-led Delhi Capitals (DC), the southpaw scored 53 runs off 22 balls against the Chennai Super Kings with the help of eight fours and two sixes. Morkel also opined on the time when he played alongside Mayers in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as well.

“I played with him a little bit at the St Lucia Zouks back in the day and it’s amazing to see him move on and progress into a quality white-ball player. I saw him in Durban playing these sorts of innings upfront and he really puts the bowlers under a lot of pressure. It’s great to see him in top form. We have got Quinton de Kock coming in a day or two and it has to be a selection headache. It’s fantastic to see Mayers firing and playing well upfront,” Morne Morkel told the reporters.

Mayers’ knock, however, couldn’t help the side as LSG lost to CSK by 12 runs after failing to chase down 218 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium as well. Morne Morkel also said that the Lucknow bowlers couldn’t hit the right lengths balls and leaked runs also as well. The former South African pace bowler also added that losing wickets at the wrong time after a flying start cost them the game.

“We lost two too many wickets” – Morne Morkel

“It was a close game. Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran and Kyle Mayers were caught on the fence while attempting big hits. We knew that the ball comes nicely onto the bat in Chennai. So, it was important for us to try and start well, but we leaked runs on both sides of the wicket and we didn’t challenge the top of off-stump enough, which gave them the momentum,” he further added.

“We got off to a fantastic start with the bat and from the 7-10 over period, we lost two too many wickets. We now have to reflect on it a little bit, but I would just say, we were a little soft with the ball at times, and with the bat, we lost a wicket or two at the wrong time,” Morne Morkel concluded.

The Super Giants will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their third game on Friday, April 7 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.