Wellington wind shakes buildings, Morkel has a fan trick for India’s Test stars

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel knows what Wellington’s winds can do to a fast bowler. Morkel, who has experienced the conditions during his playing days with South Africa, has a somewhat unusual proposition for the Test specialists who are about to tour New Zealand: face a powerful home crowd.

It may sound strange, but the advice comes from experience. At Basin Reserve, the wind can change direction without warning, making life difficult for both batsmen and bowlers. Morkel wants the Indian players to get a taste of what awaits them before they arrive in New Zealand.

“We talked about Wellington, especially before the tour started, and we planted those seeds. I spoke to some of the guys who were back in India last night and they asked what the conditions were like. I said, ‘Make sure you have a very strong fan base at home. When you walk into the fan, that will be your preparation’,” Morkel said ahead of India’s third T20I in New Zealand.

India are in Wellington for Tuesday’s T20I, but Morkel and head coach Gautam Gambhir are already thinking about the challenges facing the Test team. Winds in New Zealand’s capital reached 120km/h on Monday, giving visitors a glimpse of what lies ahead.

Even Morkel was taken aback by the conditions. The former South African fast bowler said the wind was so strong he could feel its force from inside his hotel.

“This wind is a different animal. I was at the hotel this morning and the whole building was kind of shaking. So I think that will be something new to add to our books for the guys to get used to quickly,” he said.

For Morkel, the challenge is not just getting used to the wind. It’s also about how players react when conditions make their usual routines difficult. At Basin Reserve, a batsman may struggle to keep his balance in the crease, while a bowler may find it harder to settle into a rhythm or control the ball.

Morkel knows from experience that a few days of practice won’t make the problem go away. The key, he says, is to accept the conditions and find a way around them.

“When I was here on tour with South Africa, we had certain ways of trying to get used to it. I don’t think you ever get used to it in two, three or four days. So it depends on how you frame the whole situation: either you see it as a challenge or you see it as a negative,” he said.

India’s bowling attack also has a practical problem. With the wind blowing across the ground and changing direction, some pitchers may find themselves facing gusts more often than others. Morkel wants his players to be ready to take on that responsibility rather than leave difficult spells to his teammates.

“Hopefully we can get those guys in a mental space where they’re looking forward to the challenge. At the end of the day, you need someone to put their hand up and throw themselves in the wind because we can’t have four guys throwing themselves in the wind,” he added.

BRACEWELL KNOWS WHY WELLINGTON IS DIFFERENT

New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell knows the conditions at Basin Reserve well and knows how uncomfortable they can be for visiting teams. The wind doesn’t always blow from one direction, often swirling across the land, forcing players to constantly reassess their approach.

Bracewell remembered how strong she could be, remembered a match where the cameras had to be turned off at one end because of the wind.

“It’s interesting. It’s a bit swirly in closed stadiums so it’s probably not as consistent as when you’re playing in a slightly more open pitch like the Basin. We had one game here where the cameras went off at one end because it was so windy,” he said.

But for Bracewell, dealing with such conditions is part of the appeal of international cricket. Teams must learn quickly, whether they are playing in a familiar environment or traveling across a country where the conditions are completely different.

In Wellington, that means knowing when to attack and when to hold back. Batsmen have to judge the direction of the wind, while bowlers may have to change their plans depending on how it moves across the ground.

“So yeah, it’s just about identifying those moments when it’s a little bit calmer or when the wind is swirling in your direction as a hitter or being a little bit more defensive with the ball,” Bracewell said.

He declined to reveal New Zealand’s plans for the Test series. India, meanwhile, will have to find their own answers when the Test specialists arrive. Morkel’s suggestion may raise a smile from the fans, but behind it lies a warning from someone who has been there: Wellington can test even experienced international cricketers and there is only so much they can do to prepare for it.

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