Quick turnaround gives Proteas chance of revival

The Standard Bank Proteas will have little time to lick their wounds following the 211-run loss to England in the first Test match at Lord’s, as the focus quickly shifts to Nottingham ahead of the second Test starting at Trent Bridge on Friday. Proteas paceman, Morne Morkel, says the preparation for the quick turnaround of matches will focus on perfecting their disciplines- which were the glaring disappointment in the first match- and channelling their energy towards a series-levelling performance. The attack will take a lot of confidence and heart from their comeback performance in the second innings, where they raised their intensity and skills to take the last nine England wickets for 114 runs. Morkel says the no-balls are ‘unacceptable’, and that the bowlers will continue to put emphasis on staying behind the line in their preparation like they have in the past. Morkel, who is the most experienced bowler in the attack with 260 Test wickets in 75 matches, says it will be vital for him to lead from the front in the second Test, especially in the absence of Kagiso Rabada, who is serving a one-match suspension.