The Indian tweakers – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra – have been simply unplayable. South African batsmen have no answer to the turners. However, their confidence level isn't down, if one has to believe Morkel.
While the rest of the South African cricketers were done with their routine, the tall and lanky Morne Morkel was bowling on a track adjacent to the Test wicket on Monday.
The pitch that he was bowling on was different in colour, probably whitish brown with a tinge of grass, and nature from the one where the third Test will be played on at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium from Wednesday.
Morkel's extended bowling session may have been to get himself into the rhythm ahead of the match instead of getting the feel of the track since the wicket won't be the same.
The visitors know that they won't have it easy in Tests after winning the T20s and ODIs since the Indians will play to their strength. And that is what exactly has been happening. The spinners are ruling while the pacers are there just to take shine off the ball.
The Indian tweakers – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra – have been simply unplayable. South African batsmen have no answer to the turners. However, their confidence level isn't down, if one has to believe Morkel.
"We're the No. 1 Test team in the world. So, the language in the team room is very positive. The first two Tests didn't go our way. We're starting fresh on Wednesday. We're hungry to go and deliver the goods," he said here on Monday. "It's tricky. We've had some injuries on this tour. But no excuses for us. We've got to come in, delivery and play — hopefully five days of good Test cricket."
Morkel said the pacers' roles on these wickets are to put pressure from one end. "Coming here, as a fast bowling unit we expected no favours. For us, mental preparation is going to be key to bowling well with the reverse-swinging ball. That is the big strength for us over the last couple of years.
"From a personal point of view, for me it's just bowling well with the guy at the other end. If I can keep the pressure on the batsmen while the spinners are toiling away, that's what I am aiming to do."
Morkel agreed that it was tough for a fast bowler to bowl in these conditions. "From a mental point of view, you put yourself under a lot of pressure. The margins are quite small in these conditions. But, you need to enjoy these sort of things. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience playing in these conditions. It's something we'd talk about for the rest of our lives. From a personal point of view, I've just gained from that," he added.
Steyn bowls in nets
There was some good news in the South African camp. Dale Steyn, who suffered a groin injury in the first Test in Mohali and missed the Banglore Test, bowled at the nets. The Africans will know if he is fit for the game on the match day.
"Dale bowled this morning. It's a pleasing thing for us to see. Obviously, groin is a tricky sort of an injury. They're monitoring it and give him till 9 O'clock on Wednesday morning to decide. Positive thing was that he bowled in the nets today (Monday) and was looking good," said Morkel.
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