FANTASTIC TO SEE KYLE MAYERS UPFRONT, FIRING AND IN-FORM – MORNE MORKEL

Morne Morkel is not surprised by the impressive start Durban’s Super Giants all-rounder Kyle Mayers has enjoyed in the Indian Premier League thus far. 

Morkel and Mayers were paired together at Kingsmead during the inaugural Betway SA20 season where the former Proteas fast bowler performed the role of the bowling coach.

The duo also share a lengthy relationship after Morkel played alongside Mayers at the Caribbean Premier League. They have now been reunited at the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

Mayers is certainly enjoying a rich vein of form, as he was one of the few early standouts in Durban’s Super Giants’ Betway SA20 campaign. 

One particular Beyway SA20 Mayers memory the Kingsmead locals will cherish is when the West Indian powered a massive six off his pads over the stand and into the adjacent West Street. 

He also delivered arguably the “Ball of Betway SA20” when he sent down a vicious inswinger that uprooted MI Cape Town youngster Dewald Brevis’ middle-stump at Newlands. 

Mayers unfortunately had to leave South Africa to join up with the West Indies Test squad in Zimbabwe prior to the second half of the competition, but then returned with the Windies for their all-format tour of the republic.

The dashing left-hander’s recent playing experience in South Africa certainly benefited him as finished among the tourists’ top run-scorers across formats. 

The runs have continued to flow off Mayers’ bat in India as the Bajan has hit the IPL running with scores of 73 off 38 and 53 off 22 balls in his first two matches.

“Very happy to see Kyle [perform]. I have played with him a little bit at St Lucia Zouks back in the day [in the CPL]. It’s amazing to see him sort of move on, he’s progressed into a quality white-ball player,” Morkel said. 

“Saw him in Durban [in the SA20 league] and he played these sorts of innings where upfront he really puts the bowlers under a lot of pressure. And to see him now in top form is also great.”

Mayers was initially purchased to provide cover for his Durban’s Super Giants opening partner Quinton de Kock, who missed the opening IPL weekend due to international duty with the Proteas. 

De Kock is set to arrive in India this week which leaves the Lucknow Super Giants with a selection headache, but Morkel believes this is not necessarily a bad thing.

“How we’re going to work that out, luckily that’s not for me to think about,” Morkel said. “But yeah, it’s fantastic to see him (Mayers) upfront, firing, and playing well and in form.”