Wild Thing Returns: Lance Morris Eager to Make His Mark on Australia’s Pace Armada
Western Australian speedster Lance Morris has declared himself “ready” than ever before for a Test debut, despite a winter disrupted by a back fracture.
The 24-year-old West Australian, nicknamed “The Wild Thing” for his raw pace, has once again found himself in the 14-man squad for the first Test against Pakistan, starting December 14 in Perth.
While a fairytale home debut might be on hold with Australia’s “big three” quicks – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood – expected to be fit, Morris isn’t discouraged.
READ MORE: Ian Chappell Warns Pakistan Ahead of Australia Test Series
He sees his role as being ready to step in should any of the established stars go down, and with four more Tests before February, he knows his chance will come.
“I’ve got itchy feet, but in a good way,” Morris said. “I’m excited to ideally get out there and have a crack.”
This isn’t the first time Morris has been on the cusp of a Test debut. He received surprise call-ups last year as injury cover, learning valuable lessons under the watchful eyes of assistant coach Danny Vettori and head coach Andrew McDonald.
He feels that experience, combined with a focused period of self-improvement during his injury recovery, has made him a better bowler and a more rounded cricketer.
“I definitely feel like I’m in a better place than I was 12 months ago, for sure,” Morris said.
Lance Morris Plays for Perth Scorchers in Big Bash League
A stress fracture in his back kept him out of Ashes contention and forced him into a cautious return to the game. However, he has come back stronger, consistently clocking speeds above 150kph, making him an ideal replacement for Starc if needed.
While chief selector George Bailey has hinted at the possibility of playing Morris and Starc together, Morris is content to simply be in the mix. He sees his inclusion as a sign of faith from the selectors, and that alone is a huge boost for the young fast bowler.
“It’s awesome. I guess that shows they have a bit of faith and a bit of a plan in place,” Morris said. “If they’re willing to have me around the squad, I’m absolutely stoked with that.”
With his raw pace and young spirit, Lance Morris is ready to unleash his “Wild Thing” persona on the international stage. And while his Test debut might not be immediate, it’s only a matter of time before he gets his chance to roar on the international stage of red ball cricket.
