Over ten years after his retirement from International Cricket, Albie Morkel is now a coaching consultant for South Africa. The former all-rounder acknowledges that changing from player to coach took a significant mental adjustment.
“When I started coaching, I approached it like a player. You want to influence the game from the field but need to accept that you can’t. Coaching is about managing pressure, and that mindset is crucial during high-stakes tournaments,” Morkel stated.
Once Morkel moved beyond the desire to bowl again, he started to see coaching differently. He understood that coaching involves helping players manage pressure instead of feeling it themselves, especially in tense tournament situations.
“It’s about finding a balance. You want to relieve pressure from players,” he added.
This principle guides his daily interactions with the team, even when it means holding back. Morkel believes that jumping in with technical advice during a tournament can confuse players.
“My philosophy is that if you start focusing on technical issues, you might confuse players. It’s more important to help them relax and believe in their abilities. They know what they are doing. Serious technical work can wait until after the tournament,” he explained.
This approach is evident in how South Africa is managing Dewald Brevis. Despite his struggles with the short ball, having scored only 50 runs in three innings, the coaching staff has opted not to interfere.
“If we ask him to change his style, we risk losing his unique talent. He may disappoint at times, but he can also win games. Our best option is to let him play his game,” Morkel mentioned.
In the context of South Africa’s overall performance, Brevis’ challenges are manageable. The rest of the batting lineup has performed well, and Brevis is seen as a long-term investment at his first major ICC tournament.
A similar philosophy applies to Kagiso Rabada. The experienced fast bowler has taken two wickets in three matches, including a notable moment where he overstepped in a tense double Super Over against Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the coaching team remains unconcerned.
“It’s not a concern. In T20 cricket, these things happen to any bowler under pressure. Rabada is still our key fast bowler, and we will continue to support him. Overthinking tactics can confuse experienced players. We need to focus on moving forward,” Morkel said.
Rabada’s opportunity to improve may not come immediately. With South Africa already advancing to the Super Eight stage, the upcoming match against UAE might allow players like Jason Smith, Kwena Maphaka, and Anrich Nortje to get a chance.
The real test will come with the knockout rounds, beginning with a significant match against India in Ahmedabad.
“The pressure will increase in those games as we head to the playoffs. Our experienced group, who have faced pressure in the IPL and other leagues, is well-prepared. While international cricket presents different challenges, these players can thrive under pressure,” Morkel said.
Morkel, who played in five T20 World Cups, faced India at each tournament, including the very first one. Since then, T20 cricket has significantly evolved, leading to new coaching opportunities.
Since retiring in 2018, Morkel has coached with the Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and Joburg Super Kings before joining the national team under Shukri Conrad. His collaboration with Stephen Fleming has been particularly impactful.
“Fleming is one of the few coaches who has stayed with a franchise for 17 years, which shows he’s doing something right,” Morkel noted.
Morkel aims to bring that same clarity and stability to his coaching, especially in a format where pressure is omnipresent, and small differences can lead to success.
