Albie Morkel–the next Klusener?

The young safrican prodigy-Albie Morkel-bears resemblances striking enough with the great Zulu, for an observant afficiando to sit up and take notice.

First, he has a very measured, assured and a touch predatory approach to the bowling crease, fire both in the eyes and belly, a subtle frown on the face, a well built body enabling him to hurl the cherry at a respectable pace across the turf-just like his progenitor Lance Klusener.

He has a conspicuous presence in the field, atheltic enough to eat away the distance between him and the ball with a good pick up and throw to complete the job. Much unlike most other players of his breed-fast bowlers.

But what is most impressive about him is his deportment at the crease as a batsman. He cuts a very confident figure while cutting the ball past the cover point, is equally at ease flinching a single from mid wicket, and looks threatening and very capable while giving the bat a mighty swing and can give Shahid Afridi a good run for his money in hitting the stands.

He may not yet have ripped through the batting line ups with the ball, or dazzled with the bat, but has dropped enough hints about what lays ahead for him and his opponents.

For someone reared on a diet of Zulu-esque style of play-cocksure belligerence at its match winning best- as a young player back in 1999, i am more than pleased to see the emergence of one, who promises to prove to be an able successor to the rich legacy of Lance Klusener