Morris opts for surgery as anger management

Times Media - February 11, 2014

TELFORD VICE, Johannesburg

According to his surgeon, Chris Morris said yesterday, he has “one very angry ankle”. So angry it will keep him out of the game for the next six months.

That’s how long Morris will need to recover from surgery to relieve swelling and drain fluid from the tendon that runs from his big toe to his heel.

“It started to play up during the Champions Trophy (in England last June),” Morris said. “I thought it was just a niggle, but it’s been waking me up at night and I’ve had two cortisone injections.”

Morris said he had decided on surgery as his ankle’s anger management plan after he jarred his ankle while warming up to play a T20 game for the Lions against the Dolphins on February 2.

The big-hitting fast bowler was a surprise signing by the Chennai Super Kings in last year’s Indian Premier League. He earned R5.3-million and repaid that faith by taking 15 wickets at 26.73 - good enough for the joint-10th spot among wicket-takers.

But, for Morris, some things meant more than money and the fleeting fame that comes with performing in T20 circuses.

“As gutted as I am about missing the IPL - it’s a great tournament and I really enjoyed it last year - my career and playing for SA comes first,” he said.

“I don’t want to be one of those players people say put the IPL ahead of playing for their country.”

Morris, 26, has played five one-day internationals and two T20s.