India vs South Africa, Nagpur Test: Hope Turns into Despair for Morne Morkel and Proteas
Pacer Morne Morkel was easily becoming South Africa's Player of the innings on the first day of the Nagpur Test against India until he limped off the pitch.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: November 25, 2015 09:17 PM IST
As promised, Morne Morkel shouldered South Africa's pace attack admirably on Day 1 of the Nagpur Test against India on Thursday. His 3 for 35 broke the back of the fancied Indian batting but an injury turned his joy into despair. (SCORECARDÂ|ÂNEWS |VIDEOS)
In absence of Dale Steyn, Morkel used the new ball with telling effect. On a dead track, Morkel generated extra bounce due to his height and his ability to reverse swing the ball left the Indian batsmen dumbfounded.
But disaster struck the lanky paceman in the first ball of his 17th over. He hobbled off the park and now looks doubtful for the remainder of the match. Coming on the back of Steyn's groin trouble, Morkel's injury will be a huge setback for South Africa, who are on the verge of losing their enviable overseas Test record. (India's Top-Order Batting Was Below-Par, Says Sunil Gavaskar)
On a hot day, Morkel bowled short spells. After India opted to bat, Morkel made his intentions clear in his very first couple of overs. He beat the edge of the bat, got one to climb but more importantly, bowled the fuller length that left the batsmen with a prayer on their lips.
Magnificent Second and Third Spells
With the partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli growing, South Africa needed a moment of inspiration and Morkel provided it. With his second ball of the fifth over, Morkel struck.
Clocking 142 kmph, Morkel landed one on good length. Vijay, who loves to play in the VEE, was completely squared and was trapped plumb in front for 40. It was the ball of the day. Vijay was the only man who applied himself after India won the toss and opted to bat. (Virat Kohli's Stance, Balance Faulty: Sunil Gavaskar)
Morkel troubled Indian skipper Virat Kohli around the fourth-fifth stump line. His nagging line and length finally found the edge of Kohli's bat as India kept losing the big wickets at regular intervals.
Ajinkya Rahane paid for a rash and expansive drive. To Morkel's credit, he bowled the length that always kept the batsmen guessing and under pressure. It was the perfect exhibition of classy pace bowling.
In his third spell, Morkel returned figures of 4-2-8-2. His exploits were similar to what Steyn (7/51) did during the 2010 Test at this same venue. South Africa won by an innings and six runs. (India vs South Africa: Simon Harmer Backs Result-Driven Wickets)
Morkel's absence gave respite to the Indian lower order. India crossed the 200-run mark thanks to a crucial seventh-wicket 48-run partnership between Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja. This could make the difference between a win a loss in Nagpur. Morkel's absence could be the most defining factor of the game.