Dane Piedt took 5/89 to assist in giving the Proteas a first-innings lead in opposition to New Zealand.
Dane Piedt might need thought Proteas coach Shukri Conrad was pulling his leg when he was recalled to the nationwide Test squad, however the 33-year-old spin bowler put all jokes apart on Wednesday as he took full benefit of his alternative in opposition to New Zealand.
More than 4 years after he performed the final of his 9 earlier Tests for the nationwide group, Piedt obtained a textual content message from Conrad late final yr, asking if he was accessible for the two-Test sequence in opposition to the Black Caps.
At first, Piedt thought he was joking, however after it was defined {that a} conflict with the SA20 sequence required Conrad to pick out a second-string squad, Piedt was absolutely on board. And he confirmed his appreciation to the group’s head coach by taking a career-best 5/89 on Wednesday to provide the vacationers a 31-run first innings lead in the second Test in Hamilton.
“Shuks told me ‘I’m being dead serious’. I didn’t know of anything that was going on at the time (regarding the SA20 clash)… but just to get this opportunity gives me a lot of pride,” Piedt stated.
Memorable day
Midway by the second Test, the Proteas had been relieved to lastly have a greater day than their hosts as they tried to hit again after final week’s convincing defeat at Mount Maunganui.
Having been bowled out for 242 runs on Wednesday, the SA group went on to limit the Black Caps to 211. Aside from Piedt’s profession greatest, seam bowler Dane Paterson additionally shone with the ball, taking 3/39.
They wanted to hit their straps once more with the bat in the early hours of Thursday morning (SA time), however Piedt stated their all-round efficiency in the primary half of the sequence decider had raised morale in the Proteas camp heading into day three.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day (on Wednesday). I thought we controlled the run-rate from the first over… and it was a great effort from everybody involved,” Piedt stated.
“We’re just very proud of how everyone put their hands up and competed.”
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