Despite already being one of Australia's fastest bowlers, Lance Morris is determined to push his pace even further. After recovering from a "hot spot" in his back discovered last summer, Morris has been working on fine-tuning his technique, alongside Western Australia's bowling coach Tim MacDonald. These adjustments are not only aimed at increasing his speed, but also at minimising the risk of future injuries.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Morris noted on the Unplayable Podcast that something had been off over the past two years, leading to his back bearing too much strain. He believes that aligning certain aspects of his bowling action will make his delivery more efficient. Morris expressed optimism, stating that if these changes lead to bowling faster with less effort, it would be a significant improvement.
Morris is targeting a return to Western Australia's XI for their season opener, a one-day match against New South Wales on September 22. Currently at "70 percent intensity," Morris is on track to potentially take the new ball as Western Australia aims for a fourth consecutive title in both the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup at Cricket Central.
With seasoned bowlers like Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye opting out of WA contracts to explore T20 opportunities, the team's lineup will be interesting. However, they are still eligible for selection if available. Morris has a strong cohort of fast bowlers at the WACA, including Joel Paris, Cameron Gannon, Charlie Stobo, and the promising left-armer Liam Haskett, who had a breakout season.
Morris is particularly impressed with Mahli Beardman, an Under-19 World Cup standout who can match Morris' speed. Describing Beardman as a bowler with a lighter frame and effortless delivery, Morris compared him to Jhye Richardson for his ability to swing the ball both ways.
Speaking of Richardson, Morris reported that he is progressing well after another injury-plagued season, spending time at the National Cricket Centre in Queensland. Richardson is approaching match intensity in his training.
Additionally, Western Australia boasts other promising talents like Josh Vernon and Bryce Jackson, who debuted in one-day cricket last season, as well as Matt Kelly and Brody Couch. Couch, having recently signed a new two-year deal, will join the team after his stint in the United States with the San Francisco Unicorns.