South African goalkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
- Proteas batsman-wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne said they are doing everything they can to remedy their batting woes.
- The second Test took a turn for the worse when the Proteas were bowled out for 189 on the first day against Australia.
- The total, which had two major collapses, was SA’s seventh consecutive Test entry below 200.
Proteas batsman-wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne said they are doing their best to tackle every batting scenario they face as South Africa again find themselves on the back foot in a Test due to their batting.
South Africa were bowled out for 189 on the first day of the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, with the hosts pulling away to finish 45-1 at the end of the game.
The Proteas had two terrible collapses, four wickets for 11 runs and then five wickets for 10 runs, which were protected by a 112-run stand between Verreynne (52) and Marco Jansen (59).
SCOREKEEPER | Proteas v Australia, Test 2, Day 1
The first-day dismissal meant the Proteas were bowled out for under 200 for the seventh consecutive innings since the second Test at Old Trafford against England.
Verreynne said that they were doing everything they could to avoid his now constant batting problem, but added that the only way out of the predicament was to score runs.
“We are trying to address all the scenarios that we could face,” Verreynne said.
“You also have to give credit to their bowlers because we had a pretty big partnership that put them under pressure, but they held their own.
“When you lose both inside hitters, the fielding team plays for you. You can prepare as much as you can, but when you’re in those situations, it becomes difficult.
“The conversions are based on the top six and we make sure we have the runs on the board. We can’t really be looking at the lower order and the bowlers and asking them questions.”
READ | Verreynne laments Proteas’ weak batting in ‘better’ condition: ‘It’s hard to take’
David Warner, playing in his 100th Test and looking for redemption after a poor period of proper batting form, went to an unbeaten 32 from 51 balls.
Usman Khawaja’s wicket was the only one to go down, but Australia’s message was sent through Marnus Labuschagne arriving late on the first night rather than sending a night watchman.
Verreynne, while understanding that MCG outfielder Matt Page had produced a much more even bowling compared to Gabba’s pit of green vipers, hoped the bowlers would come to their rescue again.
“I feel like we’ve put a little bit of pressure on them with the ball,” Verreynne said.
“There is still a lot of confidence that our bowlers can do a job and on the pitch, the energy is quite high.
“The bowlers are doing quite well and feel good. It’s just disappointing that we have to continue to rely on them.”
“As hitters, we have to put a target on them, but the confidence is still there.”
Game Day 2 begins at 01:20 SA time.
