Former Proteas captains Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock shared their frustration at seamer Chris Morris’ inability to perform well consistently.

Morris was a late addition to the squad for the 2019 World Cup, having replaced the injured Anrich Nortje. He bowled in Friday’s warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, but proved costly during a wayward opening spell.

‘When you do watch him, you struggle to believe that he averages 40 with the ball. On his day, he is a guy that can deliver match-winning performances,’ Smith said during a television commentary stint with SuperSport.

‘He came into the squad late – and no doubt has the ability to win games. You can see his talent and ability. It’s just that frustration of not getting the consistency out of him that builds up. You watch him and you think this man should be winning more games for his country. He should be playing more.’

Morris hasn’t played ODI cricket in more than a year – and will be hard pressed to secure a berth in the XI for Thursday’s opening fixture against England at The Oval in London. Pollock, meanwhile, echoed Smith’s sentiment.

‘If there has been one word that has let him down in the bowling department, it has been “consistency” over the years. He has got some wonderful ingredients. Tall man, gets a lot of bounce out of the surface. Bowls around 90 kilometres per hour – and he has got a decent slower ball,’ added Pollock.

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