Andile Phehlukwayo feels positiveness would be the key to survive on this kind of a wicket

The host Proteas side arrived in the final Test at the New Wanderers Stadium after claiming an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series, due to a fine overall show in the first two Test matches. The surface for the final game was expected to assist the fast bowlers and the South African bowlers took the complete advantage of the conditions, which led to another batting collapse for the Indian team. The Indian batters once again failed miserably except Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli, who compiled crucial half-centuries on a difficult track.

Both teams went ahead in this game with an all-pace attack, as the hosts included all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in the team in place of spinner Keshav Maharaj, while the visitors brought back Bhuvneshwar Kumar in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Phehlukwayo picked up two wickets which included the prized scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara, who was looking quite dangerous and unmoved in his long stay at the crease. He talked about the clinical show of the Proteas fast bowlers as they bowled out India for 187 runs in the first innings.

We were pretty much impressive with the ball

The all-rounder who played his first game of this series feels that the bowlers bowled pretty well and took good advantage of the conditions being provided by the wicket. Barring the 84-run partnership between Kohli and Pujara, rest all things were under their control. He also feels that positive cricket would be the key to survive on this kind of a wicket and opined that scoring runs is very important rather than being defensive.

“I think we bowled pretty well today. Obviously, there were good conditions upfront and a some foundations of the win are already done. Two good partnerships from Pujara and Kohli were nice enough, but to survive on this track they need to positive and look to score runs,” said Phehlukwayo in a conversation after the end of first day’s play.

Happy to contribute with wickets

The fast bowler revealed that the plan was to bowl on the right lengths and the consistency did the rest of the job for their pacers. He also feels happy to pick the crucial wicket of Pujara, who was playing very well and looked quite resilient throughout his 50-run knock.

“The plan was to try to hit the right areas, keep things simple and hit the deck hard. After some time the cracks might open up a bit. Feels good to be back in the team and pick up the important wicket of Pujara, he was batting very well and very happy to contribute to the team,” he added on the discussions held in the dressing room.