“Credit has to go to us for putting up a good fight,” mentioned skipper Neil Brand.
They admitted they have been outplayed, however Proteas captain Neil Brand and coach Shukri Conrad have been filled with reward for the second-string nationwide staff after they punched above their weight in the second Test towards New Zealand.
Having arrived Down Under with out most of the nationwide squad’s common gamers, as a result of commitments in the lately concluded SA20 collection, the vacationers have been thumped by 281 runs in the first match at Mount Maunganui final week.
Desperate to forestall a historic collection defeat in the second Test in Hamilton this week, they misplaced by seven wickets, once more inside 4 days. Three days in, nonetheless, victory was nonetheless effectively inside their grasp thanks largely to a maiden Test century from David Bedingham, who scored 110 runs of their second innings, and a few spectacular spin bowling by Dane Piedt who returned match figures of 8/182.
‘Amazing experience’
Brand, who captained the facet in the first two Tests of his profession, admitted their opponents have been merely higher, however he hoped a few of the new and recalled members of the squad had executed sufficient to realize some favour from Conrad when deciding on groups for future excursions.
“It’s been an amazing experience and definitely something I want to be a part of in the future,” Brand mentioned yesterday.
“We now know it is possible to play at this level. We did compete with a very good New Zealand side and I think credit has to go to us for putting up a good fight and coming back strongly in this (second) game.”
Gutsy effort
While Conrad made it clear that Bedingham remained a part of his plans, he didn’t recommend some other gamers had earned a spot in the common squad.
He was, nonetheless, delighted with the gutsy effort the staff produced in an try and degree the collection in Hamilton.
“It speaks volumes for the character of the side. On the playing field we knew it was going to be tough, and it was everything we expected and more,” Conrad mentioned.
“But just the manner in which the guys have stuck together, wanted to put up a good showing, and almost pulled off the impossible, I can’t fault them for trying and giving their absolute best.”
Source link
