http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 wants his bowlers to raise their game – Cricket News Update
Graeme Smith, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Brisbane and urged the pacers to raise their game in the remaining two encounters.
Taking into account the flat nature of the pitch at Brisbane, the Proteas team management opted for an all-pace bowling attack, deciding to rest http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir, the Pakistan-born right-arm leg-spinner.
Having won the toss, Smith had no hesitation in batting first, which proved to be the right decision as the visitors posted a very competitive total of 450 runs on the board, although their middle-order batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742, could not
take any part in the match because of an ankle injury.
In response, the South African bowlers started off quite well, getting three wickets very early in the innings, before http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Graham-Downton-c44379 Cowan played out of their skins to take the game away from Smith’s men.
The match ended in a draw with the home team having a slight edge after taking a massive first innings lead of 115 runs.
The South African skipper believes that his bowlers were a little too inconsistent throughout the match and failed to put the home team’s batsmen under pressure.
“I think we just didn't hit our straps with the ball. Four hundred and fifty was a good total, winning the toss and batting. I just don't think we backed up well enough,” he said. “We had periods when we were good, then lost our way a little bit. Didn't
really bowl well in partnerships to create enough pressure on Australia's batting. Certainly on day four.”
The left-handed opener understands that he possesses a top-class bowling line-up, which has played a massive role in making South Africa the world’s number one ranked Test team.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409 and company to raise their game in the second Test, which begins on November 22, at the Adelaide Oval.
“All in all, I cannot complain about our bowlers. The majority of the time they rock up and they perform extremely well. Hopefully that will happen in Adelaide again,” Smith hopes.
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