The batsman for Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
- Proteas keeper batsman Kyle Verreynne admitted they should have done better with the slightly more benign conditions.
- The Proteas rounded for 189 in the second Test against Australia.
- The Proteas have now been bowled out for under 200 on seven consecutive occasions, with two collapses highlighting the woeful performance by Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Proteas wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne said his batting capitulation on the first day of the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday was harder to take than his previous six instances of missing 200.
In what was South Africa’s first Test on the ground since 2008, Proteas had two collapses between the 112-run sixth wicket stand between Verreynne (52) and Marco Jansen (59).
The Proteas were finally defeated in two sessions and shortly after they were given the first use of a much less spiteful surface.
The dig was South Africa’s seventh straight that they did not cross 200, but in what was a tame field compared to the above and below foot minefields they faced in Manchester, London and Brisbane.
SCOREKEEPER | Proteas v Australia, Test 2, Day 1
Proteas’ top and bottom order collapses were 4 wickets for 11 runs (56/1 to 67/5) and 5 wickets for 10 runs (179/5 to 189 total), respectively.
Verreynne admitted that SA may still believe in the bowlers, but it was hard to accept how they went about their batting business.
“Today is a bit harder to take than the previous six innings. When we look back on those games, there were a lot of good balls and good bowling,” Verreynne said.
“We had stuck to our game plans but the bowling was able to undo us. Today was probably the first time in a long time that we had more soft dismissals.”
“I think that’s the most disappointing thing, but the hitters are in a good place, even if it doesn’t look like it to the public.
“Behind closed doors, the work we’ve been doing has been really good, the preparations have been good and the talks have been positive.
“We still have the belief, but we need to back our pitchers to do a job and back them up with the bat in the second inning.”
MATCH REPORT | Green takes 5 as Proteas batsmen miss in Melbourne, Australia take over
Australia’s less tired and much more direct reply of 45/1 in the 12 overs, spoke volumes for the better batting conditions.
David Warner (32*), on his 100th Test and, at a critical crossroads in his colorful career, led the charge.
Verreynne admitted that he misread the conditions in Brisbane despite his brilliant first fifty innings, but felt the MCG launch could offer more for Keshav Maharaj.
“It looks a lot better and it doesn’t have too much grass. There wasn’t a lot of movement at the seams, but you never know,” Verreynne said.
“There were some balls spinning, so it may not be the seamers that come into play, but Kesh can play a big role.
“We may have to wait and see, but judging for today, it looks like a better hitting ground.”
Game Day 2 begins at 01:20 SA time.
