Around the wicket with: Danny Morrison
During his career, Morrison appeared in three ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, including New Zealand’s memorable 1992 campaign.
We went around the wicket with Morrison to ask him six questions about the ICC Cricket World Cup and One Day International cricket.
What are your memories of playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987?
I played in the last game against India in Nagpur where Chetan Sharma got the first ever ICC Cricket World Cup hat trick. It was like bowling in the highlights. We got 230 odd and India needed to chase it down in 40 overs to get a home semi-final. They smashed us around Nagpur, it was a very small ground – even Ewen Chatfield got hit around that day.
What were the keys to New Zealand’s success in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992?
The backyard conditions helped and having Dipak Patel opening the bowling was a stroke of genius from Warren Lees and Martin Crowe. We played to our strength, we had the dibbly dobbly wobblys – Larsen, Harris, Latham – and even Willie Watson who could nibble it around a bit. The conditions favoured us and the country got caught up in the event. It was a neat month of my life.
What is your most memorable ODI wicket?
I guess it would be the hat trick ball to Nayan Mongia. He got pushed down the order and was unlucky – the ball tailed in late and hit the stumps.
Who is the best batsmen you have bowled to in One Day International cricket?
Lara and Tendulkar stand out. Dean Jones as well was an amazing one day player. I would say those three. I played a lot against Inzamam-ul-Haq too and he was unstoppable in the 1992 semi-final.
Who do you regard as the current best One Day International player in the world?
Hard to go past MS Dhoni. He’s a wicket-keeping all-rounder and captains. He can float in the order but tends to come in late and finish an innings brilliantly – whether it is setting a total or chasing down a target.
Who are the teams to watch in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015?
New Zealand in the home conditions might repeat 1992 and surprise a few. The other one to watch could be Sri Lanka. They tend to do well in New Zealand conditions and perform strongly in big tournaments. If Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are all fit they will be a big contender.
Danny Morrison ICC Cricket World Cup record
Tournaments: 3 (1987, 1992, 1996)
Matches: 11
Wickets: 8
Average: 49.50
Best: 3/42