South Africa are hoping to get their Morkel brothers back from injury sooner rather than later after going 1-0 behind in the NatWest Series.

Fast bowler Morne Morkel bowled half a dozen overs in the Trent Bridge nets on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's second match of the series while all-rounder Albie Morkel continues to frustrate the tourists.

The former is the likelier of the siblings to make it for the day-nighter, although he is far from assured of doing so following his side strain.

"Morne bowled the equivalent of six overs in the nets in two spells of four overs and two overs," said Proteas assistant coach Vincent Barnes.

"He was only operating at about 50% of his capacity, so we will have to step him up quite a bit on Monday if he is to make Tuesday's second match.

"Albie has also made significant progress. He took a complete part in the batting and fielding drills but at this stage is only bowling with a tennis ball under the direction of (physio) Shane Jabaar. Again Monday will be an important session for him."

Albie Morkel came into the five-match campaign nursing a shoulder injury and has been unable to shake off the niggle - leading the tourists to consider painkilling injections.

South Africa lost their first one-day international in 10 outings to England on Friday as Kevin Pietersen's side won by 20 runs under the Headingley floodlights.

It left South Africa coach Mickey Arthur to bemoan the loss of firepower with both bat and ball.

"We wanted to come out and play with our first choice side and what it does is that it also disrupts our balance hugely," he said.

"At number seven and number eight we didn't have a guy who can hit the ball out of the ground.

"When you're needing a big over Albie is the guy who can hit it out of the ground for you.

"We had Johan Botha and Vernon Philander who can work it around quite nicely but they needed to be batting with someone who was in and who could hit boundaries at will so that was a pity."

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