Morkel said previous rewards here for the pace bowlers, including Dale Steyn’s seven for 51 in South Africa’s Test win against India last year, could mean that their traditional strength might come to the fore again.

“Past performances here, even in the IPL, show that the quick bowlers have a very good record here,” Morkel said after the training session.

“But the key is reverse-swing and Dale had done so well the last time we were here. There will definitely be an opportunity for reverse-swing and the quicker we get it going, the better for us,” Morkel said, while recollecting South Africa’s innings victory in the opening match of the three-match Test series here last year.

With the pitch sporting very little grass, Morkel said it looked like a batting paradise and his bowlers could come under pressure against the formidable Indian batting line-up.

“Indian batsmen are all dangerous and they can be destructive. We’re have to bowl as a unit, but at the end of the day, those batsmen are only human as well,” Morkel said. He admitted that the fine form of South African spinners had meant the role of the fast bowlers had changed during the tournament.

“We’ve just quietly gone about our business because the pitches have been slow and turning. The roles have been reversed,”