Young Proteas quick bowler Gerald Coetzee stated that he continues to develop and learn, after a tough experience in the late afternoon session on the second day of the second Test in opposition to the West Indies on the Wanderers on Thursday.
Coetzee was the choose of the Proteas bowlers as he picked up figures of three/41 in 14 overs to assist bowl the Windies out for 251 in their first innings, giving the hosts a 69-run lead after they had been bowled out in the morning session for 320.
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But it might have been a a lot better day for the house facet, after that they had decreased the Windies to 116/6, earlier than all-rounder Jason Holder starred with an unbeaten 81, to assist information the tail and restrict the harm for the guests.
He shared in a 31-run ninth wicket stand with Kemar Roach (13), but it surely was the final wicket partnership of 58 with Gudakesh Motie (17) that was significantly laborious on the Proteas bowlers, as Holder initially protected his batting companion, earlier than letting him play extra freely as they fought again.
“You do want to try and get the main batter off strike and bowl as many balls as possible to the tail-ender. But he held his ground well and Jason was taking the game forward,” defined Coetzee after the day’s play.
“Jason batted really well and credit to him. With that last partnership you can ask any cricketer, when it’s a 50-run partnership it’s tough to deal with it. We still have a good lead so we will take that. A 70-run lead is better than a 70-run deficit, so it was tough, but it was a good experience for us.”
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Coetzee was requested if he relished having the ability to step into the function of Proteas categorical fast Anrich Nortje, who was rested for the sport, however claimed that it was a task which each of them carried out, so it was nothing new for him.
“I think both myself and Anrich have that role naturally. If you look at the bowling attack today, that was my role, which I enjoy doing. It comes most naturally to me,” stated Coetzee.
The strangest second of the Windies final wicket partnership was the Proteas not turning to their strike bowler Kagiso Rabada, who was largely patrolling the boundary rope, whereas Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj had been all given the ball.
This sparked fears that Rabada had picked up an damage and can be unable to bowl in the second innings, however Coetzee allayed fears saying that he can be again.
“KG’s (Rabada) good. We (fast bowlers) all have a bit of stiffness. You get it treated before it becomes something serious and get back on the field. He’s fine,” stated Coetzee.
