Thaindian News

Kolkata, Feb 16 (IANS) Ruing the missed chances in the Indian first innings, South African batting consultant and former skipper Kepler Wessels Tuesday said the unavailability of regular wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and injury to Graeme Smith proved to be a deterrent for the team in the second Test here.
“If you don’t take your opportunities against a good side, you’re going to pay the price,” Wessels said, as South Africa missed seven chances in the India’s first knock and are now left needing 341 runs after the third day’s play to avoid an innings defeat.

With regular wicketkeeper Boucher opting out following back spasm, South Africa had to rely on stand-in stumper A.B. de Villiers. Also, Graeme Smith could not field in his traditional slip area after sustaining an injury to his left little finger.

“It’s always difficult when you have to reinvent your slip cordon. We’ve got an experienced keeper who wasn’t there and the most experienced first slip wasn’t there either.

“It’s challenging but you have to adapt and take the opportunities that come your way. We didn’t,” he said. Asked whether his side would now play for survival, Wessels said: “We’ve still got to look to score runs and play a normal game - form partnerships and bat for long periods.”

However, Wessels reposed faith in his batsmen. “They have had many similar challenges over the last two years and came through those quite well. This will be a difficult one, but that’s what experienced top international batsmen are for. They’ve coped with it well in the past and will hopefully do so again tomorrow.”

Wessels said the South Africans, needing to save the game to win the series, were gearing up for two days of tough Test cricket. “We’ll fight as hard as we can.”

“It’s a pretty good pitch. I think you can still bat on it for extended periods of time. Clearly, we’re going to be under more pressure than India were, so it’ll be more difficult. It should spin a little as the game goes on.”

Wessels said Indian batsmen played well and his bowlers could not get the breakthroughs.

He said the South Africans played loose cricket in the first innings, which have put them in the pit. “I think the guys all accept that there were a few too many loose shots and that got us into trouble.’

Wessels praised Dale Steyn’s bowling with the second new ball this day. “Morne Morkel came in with one good spell as well. But consistency is an issue for us.”