South Africa's captain Graeme Smith, left, with Alviro Petersen, second from right, assist teammate Morne Morkel, second from left, after hurting his right ankle during India's 2nd innings on the third day of their cricket test match at Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday. Durban: South Africa pacer Morne Morkel was surprised at the nature of pitch on offer at the Kingsmead here after India today took early control of the series-deciding second cricket Test by finishing day one on a commanding 181 for one.
Morkel termed the Kingsmead pitch as a "sub-continent like wicket" after Murali Vijay struck a delightful unbeaten 91 and together with Cheteshwar Pujara (58 not out) added unconquered 140 runs for the second wicket before bad light brought a premature end to the opening day's proceedings.
"I am very surprised with the wicket here. It looks like a sub-continent wicket," Morkel said at the post-day's press conference. "It is really dry and a little on the slower side. After the 13th over, the ball looked like it was 60 overs old," he said.
"But as a bowling unit we need to soak it in. We need to bowl according to a plan, only to one side of the wicket. We need to stop the flow of runs, if wickets don't come our way. It is a good break for us, and we can go back and re-plan for tomorrow," Morkel added.
Morkel was the only wicket-taker of the day for the Proteas, sending back Shikhar Dhawan for just 29 runs with India's score on 41 at that time. "We are hoping the ball can reverse a bit more tomorrow. We need to come out and stick to a plan and take a couple of early wickets while they aren't settled. And then wait for the new ball," he said.
Morkel was almost ruled out for this Test match after twisting his ankle on day three of the first match at Johannesburg.
"I had an MRI scan done and they said it was a grade three injury. Then we did a sonar scan and we found out it was only grade one. So I went into rehab and worked hard with our medical team. They did some magic and the swelling went away and we worked on fitness. I am really happy to be playing this match, especially since this is Jacques Kallis' last Test," he said.
Kallis had led the team onto the field in the morning. In fact, he was allowed to venture out 10 seconds before his mates joined him. The crowd gave him a rousing and standing ovation and he responded with raised hands and a bow with his hat.
"It was a big shock for me. I found out two days ago. I guess he had been planning this for some time and maybe this news gave me 10 per cent more inspiration to get fit and play this match. He is a very good friend of mine and I didn't want to miss his last match," Morkel added.
Quite clearly, South Africa want to give Kallis a resounding farewell and to do that, they need to beat India at this ground, where they have lost their last four Tests.
"To be honest, we didn't talk about the past record. We can't control that. When we arrived here, we heard about Kallis and with how we finished at Wanderers, we were pumped up for this game. To me it doesn't matter if we bat or bowl first, we need to make a good start. And it will be crucial what we do tomorrow morning," Morkel said.
"I hope we don't lose too many overs because of the weather. I hope it is a good Test and a good farewell (for Kallis)," he signed off.
Sometimes Indian bowlers get unwarranted criticism: Dawes
South Africa's Jacques Kallis waves to the crowd in his last match before retirement during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.
India's Shikhar Dhawan bats during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Murali Vijay bats during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Vernon Philander bowls during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Murali Vijay ducks a bouncer from South Africa's Dale Steyn during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's batsman Shikhar Dhawan plays a shot during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa.South Africa's bowler Morne Morkel throws the ball during the first day of the second Sunfoil Series Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Dale Steyn (R) reacts during the first day of the second Sunfoil Series Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Morne Morkel celebrates the wicket of India's Shikhar Dhawan during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Shikhar Dhawan loses his wicket to South Africa's Morne Morkel during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban.India's batsman Shikhar Dhawan leaves the field after being dismissed for 29 runs during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP South Africa's Jacques Kallis bowls in his last match during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Cheteshwar Pujara is hit on the leg during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's Robin Petersen bowls during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's fans show their support for Jacques Kallis during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.India's Murali Vijay celebrates his fifty runs during the first day of the second Sunfoil Series Cricket Test match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, at Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's bowler Morne Morkel, center, unsuccessfuly appeals for LBW against India's batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, right, as teammate wicketkeeper Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, left, watches during first day of their cricket test match at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa.South Africa's fans during Day 1 of the second Cricket Test Match between India and South Africa at the SAHARA Stadium , Kingsmead in Durban.South Africa's wicketkeeper Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, right, attempts a run out against India's batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, left, during first day of their cricket test match at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APSouth African cricket fans sing during first day of their cricket test match between South Africa and India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APIndia's batsman Murali Vijay avoids a bouncer during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APSouth Africa's bowler Vernon Philander, left, fields off own bowling after India's Shikhar Dhawan, right, plays played a shot during first day of their cricket test match at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. AP South Africa's player Jacques Kallis looks on during first day of their cricket test match against India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APSouth Africa's player Jacques Kallis bowls during first day of their cricket test match against India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - APIndia's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, centre, with teammate India's Virat Kohli, left, waves in the players pavilion as the match is stopped due to bad light during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, right, with teammate India's Virat Kohli, left, gestures in the players pavilion as the match is stopped due to bad light during first day of their cricket test match against South Africa at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP Match is stopped due to bad light during the first day of the cricket test match between South Africa and India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP South Africa's player Jacques Kallis looks on as the match is stopped due to bad light during first day of their cricket test match against India at Kingsmead stadium, Durban, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. - AP
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