The secret of why South African Albie Morkel failed to appear on the field for Chennai Super Kings at the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Mumbai Indians in Cape Town Saturday is finally out.

Morkel, who helped his side beat Bangalore Royal Challengers in Port Elizabeth Monday evening by trapping countryman Jacques Kallis leg before after he struck five fours around the ground for 24 off 19 balls, could not play Saturday for a lack of shoes.