This Test is the right step in the right direction: Faf du Plessis

After a rain-enforced draw in the first Test at Durban, South Africa kept all eyes on the series honors and beat New Zealand in the 2nd test by a massive 204 runs. The Black Caps offered no real contest to the home side who, with the help of their fast bowling attack, folded New Zealand inside four days.

Dale Steyn led the attack on the fourth day and ensured a smooth day with his rapid spell of 5/33. New Zealand batsman failed miserably in both the innings. South Africa piled on a massive 481 in the first innings with the help of Faf du Plessis’ century and half-centuries from Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, and JP Duminy. New Zealand was short competitiveness against Steyn & Co. and were rattled for just 214 runs giving a huge 267 run lead. Du Plessis decided against enforcing follow-on and chose to bat first.

The New Zealand bowler came back strong ,and tried their best. But de Kock’ struck another half-century, this time in a bit tricky situation, to propel the lead to 399 before du Plessis decided to declare the innings. Steyn continued to have a significant attack with an opening burst of 3/9 and an eventual 5-wicket haul to bury Nicholls’ brave 76 in an improbable chase.

Faf du Plessis praised the commendable performance put up by his fast bowlers. He also acknowledged the contribution of his batters especially, Quinton de Kock. Faf du Plessis said: : “As I said at the toss, we were very unsure; we possibly would have bowled. Philander, Steyn and the guys would have been real handful on that pitch. 450[sic] or 480 in that first innings set us up beautifully.”

“It was tough conditions but the guys played with great intensity. Cook was solid and de Kock took it to them to set the tone for us. It was important to get a good score because the wicket was going to get tougher, we knew. To get 480 on this deck was always going to be challenging. The hundred was special, and so was captaining the side.”

“To play a part with the bat was amazing. Few extra emotions as it was my first at Centurion too. Everyone in this match played a huge part in getting us across the line. Two quality bowlers like Steyn and Philander don’t give anything to the batters, and make a huge difference.”

“If you can create that pressure for long periods in Tests, that’s when you take wickets. They are very important for the team and hopefully they can play a lot more. I think it’s important that the senior guys perform, especially against a big team like Australia, and then one or two guys coming in and doing their thing. We have changed the way we played and this Test is the right step in the right direction.”

Quinton de Kock was the makeshift opener but did not hesitate to take up the challenge in the longer format. He has been stupendous in the limited overs format as an opener and just gave a glimpse of what could be expected from him in the test format as well. He was adjudged Man of the Match for his twin fifties.

Quinton de Kock in the post-match presentation said: “Yeah, it came quite quickly. It was an optional practice, I was ready to go home, do some fishing, and then Dean (Elgar) hurt himself walking down the stairs. I said I’ll do the job. I think I did; did what was best for the team. Put up my hand and it just happened I guess. I wasn’t meant to come up all positive actually but I was a bit lucky against Trent in the first over and that got me going. I didn’t mean to play aggressive but it happened; instincts took over.”

“I am happy batting lower down the order. Dean’s worked his way to be there (opening) and he deserves to be there. I will be where I need to be, at No. 6 or 7. The bowlers made life hard. Watling also had a hard time behind the stumps there; ball’s wobbling and had a couple of sore fingers, but that’s the nature of wicket-keeping. I hope the bowlers don’t give me such a hard time next time around.”

New Zealand’s struggle to win their first Test series on Proteas soil will continue. The more worrying factor was the finger injury which skipper Kane Williamson sustained while batting. It looked serious as he batted taking pain killers. But, he had some positive news during the post-match presentation.

Williamson said: “Finger is okay, just a bit stiff. Got hit on different fingers in both the innings. Different one from the nets as well. Good challenge for the boys this. If you could say that the team batting first would get 450, then yes, I would have batted first. But it was a tough one; pitch was green and soft, and was certainly expected to break as much as it did. But if we were more fortunate, we would have fared better. But credit to South Africa; outplayed us, especially in the 1st innings.”

“ You can always have a funny half hour and get a bit of momentum, and the guys showed a bit of fight in the 2nd innings with the ball. It was a tough wicket in the 2nd half and getting 200 on the surface was a good effort. Many positives to take into our future tours. The class of South Africa’s bowling showed. 450 in the first innings really pushed us on the back foot. Wagner’s 5 wickets was a good effort and Henry, the way he batted in the 1st and 2nd innings, is great for the side moving forward. Showed a lot of character. We are home for about a week and then India for a couple of months. Raring to go.”