South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel has lauded the team's bowlers as they put behind them a luke-warm performance on Friday to step-up in their three-wicket win over Australia at the WACA in Perth on Sunday.
Morkel said that it was important for the bowlers to adjust their lengths accordingly to the nippier WACA wicket, and to strike early upfront against Australia's big-hitters.
Morkel, who delivered career-best figures of 5-21, admitted that the bowling unit had a bit of a break before this series, and although they had nets, the lack of time in the middle and finding rhythm probably showed on Friday, Sport24 reported.
He said that the wicket was a little bit quicker which helped them when they found their strides and rhythm. He added that South Africa bowled well in partnerships and with good intensity, being a bowler light made it important for them to step up.
The big wickets of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Shane Watson in the opening 10 overs set the tone, with part-timer, Farhaan Behardien, putting in a tidy performance coupled with the wicket of the dangerous Watson.
Morkel said that it's always important for them to strike up front in those first 10 overs of the Power Play. With Australia being batting heaving and quick attacking upfront, he added that it was key for us to hit those margins, which are very small at the WACA.
South Africa tried a different option with Morkel and Philander taking the new ball, a strategy aimed at testing different options ahead of the World Cup, the report added.