We missed Morne Morkel, admits AB de Villiers

Mumbai: Conceding that India may have felt the absence of their injured No.1 spinner R. Ashwin, South Africa captain A.B. de Villiers pointed out that the tourists too were without Morne Morkel for the last two games of the ODI rubber which the visitors won 3-2.

“Ashwin is a world class bowler and India did miss him a bit. But injuries are part of the game and it’s something you can’t focus on too much. Morne Morkel was injured for the last two games. He was, possibly, our best seamer in a couple of games,” said de Villiers on Sunday.

Inspite of blasting a 61-ball 119 in the fifth and final ODI against India, ABD played down his effort in comparison to teammate Faf du Plessis’s more sedate 133, saying the knock helped other batsmen free up.

“Faf did not get enough credit for his knock. He came in at a very difficult situation, in the middle of the innings, when Indian spinners started dominating a bit. He controlled the innings exceptionally very well. It allowed Quinton and me to, sort of, free up,” he said.

“You could see both of us scored at faster than run-a-ball hundred and that was because of Faf’s stability at the other end. He was getting really tired throughout his innings and to show that kind of determination to anchor the innings, which is not easy, was incredible and makes it probably the most important of the three (centuries),” added ABD.