Cape Town - A weak domestic system is part of the reason the Proteas are struggling in the one-day international (ODI) series against India.

That is the view of former South African batsman Peter Kirsten.

India currently lead the six-match series 3-0, with their spinners in particular providing headaches for the Proteas batsmen.

During India’s 124-run win in the third ODI at Newlands on Wednesday, wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav again bamboozled the South African batsmen, taking 4-46 and 4-23, respectively.

The two spinners have taken a combined 21 wickets in the first three matches of the series.

In an interview with Netwerk24, Kirsten said losing key batsmen like AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock have proved costly but added: “It’s very tough for young players coming in to suddenly face bowlers of world class quality.”

Kirsten, who played 12 Tests and 40 ODIs, said he’s watch some of the domestic matches this season and was disappointed with the quality of play, especially on the batting front.

“I also don’t like the way in which the batsmen often want to hit across the line against spinners. When I played we were lucky that the quality of local cricket was very good and that I also played against good spinners.”

The fourth ODI between the Proteas and India takes place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday (February 10), followed by matches in Port Elizabeth (Tuesday, February 13) and Centurion (Friday, February 16).