South African seamer Morne Morkel on Monday lashed out at the Centurion track which was unusually slow in nature and compared it with pitches in India. Morkel was the pick of the bowlers for Proteas in the first innings as he returned with figures of 4 wickets for 60 runs that helped South Africa bowl out India for 307 thanks to skipper Virat Kohli, giving the Proteas a lead of 28 runs. The hosts finished at 90/2, leading overall by 118. Speaking about the Centurion track, Morkel said that he has grown up playing all his cricket at the ground but never came across a wicket like this before, terming it as hard work for the bowlers and went on to add that it was right up there with one of the hardest spells he has bowled.

"I've played cricket here all my life, and I've never seen a wicket like this at the SuperSport Park. It was really hard work. In the heat, with conditions really tough, it was right up there with one of the hardest spells I've bowled," said Morkel after day three of the second Test. "I think the pace of the wicket was the toughest aspect. You've got a small little window with the new ball. The reason might be because it's under covers overnight, but in the first hour the balls seems a little bit quicker off the deck.