Cricket

Proteas given a ‘wake-up call’ in thumping defeat to Black Caps

‘Just a few of the gamers would have taken a little bit of a knock in phrases of the cruel realities of Test cricket.’

The huge distinction in expertise between the 2 sides is now evident, head coach Shukri Conrad admits, after the brand new members of the Proteas Test squad have been given a ‘wake-up call’ throughout their thumping defeat in the primary match in opposition to New Zealand.

The SA workforce have been swept apart with bat and ball at Mount Maunganui, falling in a 281-run loss to their hosts inside 4 days earlier this week.

Conrad felt the new-look nationwide workforce, lacking many first-choice gamers due to their commitments in the SA20 league, had failed to exert stress as constantly because the Black Caps.

The nice divide

Six gamers in the Proteas facet – captain Neil Brand, all-rounder Ruan de Swardt, seam bowler Tshepo Moreki, wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin, and batters Edward Moore and Raynard van Tonder – have been competing in their first Test matches. Conversely, not one of the gamers in the New Zealand line-up have been uncapped.

“If I’m brutally honest, I think this match showed quite a few things,” Conrad mentioned.

“We’ve obviously got to factor in the nervous tension and everything that goes with debuting for a lot of players, and obviously the nerves that a Test match brings, but I think the divide (between SA and NZ) is great.”

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad speaks to the media throughout a press convention. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

Conrad admitted they have been gutted by the defeat, however he mentioned that they had taken the loss on the chin.

After giving the gamers a time off to get well bodily and mentally yesterday, he hoped they’d have the opportunity to put up a stronger struggle in the second Test beginning in Hamilton on Tuesday.

“I think the real test will come when we step out on the field again in a few days’ time,” Conrad mentioned.

“For now they’re in first rate spirits. Obviously a few of them would have taken a little bit of a knock in phrases of the cruel realities that Test cricket brings and probably how distant they most likely nonetheless are.

“I think many felt they were closer to the Test side than they currently are, and when you go through a few days like they have been, there’s a bit of a jolt and a little wake-up call.”


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