Morkel's injury was a huge loss: Philander

South African pacer Vernon Philander feels losing pacer Morne Morkel to injury has compounded matters for his team in the opening Test against India.

Morkel twisted his ankle in the first session of the third day and is now out of this Test match, as well as in serious doubt for the second Test in Durban.

"Losing Morne was very painful. From then, we knew that Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and I will have to share the bowling load, with the spinners going for runs. It was a tough day to be in Graeme Smith's shoes, one of those days," said Philander.

"He won't be bowling further in this match," Philander confirmed.

Cheteshwar Pujara's sixth Test hundred and a 191-run partnership with Virat Kohli made sure that India took a 320 run lead in the match. This was after South Africa were bowled out for 244 in reply to India's 280 in the first innings.

"They bowled better in the first innings, while pitching it in the right areas and into the stumps. We bowled a bit better in the second innings, but also the sun was shining when they came to bat.

"So it became a little easier to bat as well. It was a little overcast when we batted so it helped the Indians as well," Philander said.

Philander is perhaps the only member of the home team who could hold his head up, with a 50 in the first innings to go with his 100th Test wicket in the second innings.

"I take pride in my batting and work hard at it in the nets as well as when I am away from the national team. I like batting under pressure and making a play for the team when the situation demands. I was reminded about the 100th wicket quite a bit. I prepare for every game the same way and hopefully can take a few more wickets for South Africa."

It was a day when perhaps Steyn needed to take charge after all the aggressive talk ahead of this two Test series. But it hasn't happened so far, given his match figures read one wicket for 125 runs in 47 overs.

"He (Steyn) didn't bowl that badly. He didn't have an off-day as he beat the bat a couple of times. There were quite a few played and missed ones. Don't be fooled, the wicket has slowed down as well I think," Philander came in defence of his new ball partner.

Image: Morne Morkel

Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images