SPIN TO WIN NOW FOR JSK, SAYS ALBIE MORKEL

Joburg Super Kings assistant coach Albie Morkel believes they will need to adopt a spin-based strategy after fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was ruled out of Betway SA20 Season 3 to injury on Sunday.

Coetzee played in JSK’s opening game against Durban’s Super Giants last week, but has not been seen since due to a hamstring strain.

The 24-year-old also missed the entire Season 2 through injury after an impressive maiden season for JSK.

READ MORE: JSK suffer Coetzee injury blow

The Super Kings have been beset with injuries to fast bowlers this season with Coetzee joining Lizaad Williams and Nandre Burger on the sidelines. 

Beuran Hendricks and Hardus Viljoen were called up as replacements, although Hendricks has also been hampered by an injury since joining the Super Kings which has curtailed his participation as yet.

Lutho Sipamla has since joined the Super Kings as Hendricks’ replacement and delivered a couple of impressive performances.

Fortunately for the Super Kings, they have an excellent spin quarter that consists of Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir, Moeen Ali and the ever-improving Donovan Ferreira.

JSK's spin options include front-liners Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir and Moeen Ali as well as ever-improving Donovan Ferreira.

Morkel is hoping the conditions at the various venues around the country will bring the spinners into play now that the Super Kings are lean on pacemen.

“We’ve lost three big guys in Lizaad, Nandre and Gerald recently,” Morkel said.

“So, yeah, it's big for us and now we have to juggle with the guys that we have.

“But we  still have a strong spin contingency. So hopefully we can get in spin-friendly conditions and put those guys into play.”

Ferreira’s development as an off-spinner has certainly been a revelation for the Super Kings. 

The 26-year-old claimed the miserly figures of 2/15 and 2/17 against Durban’s Super Giants and Pretoria Capitals respectively. 

He should also have had MI Cape Town’s Player of the Match Ryan Rickelton caught on the boundary in the first over before the left-hander had scored at Newlands.

“He’s been working really hard. You know, he really wants to be seen as a batting all-rounder. I don't think he's getting those opportunities playing for South Africa or even at the Titans,” Morkel said.

“And, you know, like I said, he's been training hard. We tried him in Durban, he bowled really well there. You know, got us a wicket against the Capitals.

Should have gotten us another wicket today in the first over. So he's going well. And like I said, that's just the way he wants to progress his game.

You know, where he bats in that situation, 6-7, you know what it's like you either win the game for your team or you lose the game for your team. So if he can add another string to his bow, I think we're good for him.”