- Proteas top order batsman Rassie van der Dussen said it was difficult to pin-point the real issue behind their collapses.
- He referred to those collapses as a “conglomerate of circumstances.”
- Van der Dussen was also disappointed at how they did not capitalise on the first day conditions in Karachi.
Proteas top-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen said it was difficult to pin-point the exact reason as to why their batting collapses have been frequent.
Their latest ones were in the first Test against Pakistan in Karachi where in the first innings, they slipped from 133/3 to 220 all out.
In the second innings, they fell from 175/1 to 245 all out, gifting Pakistan the 88 runs they required for only their fifth Test win against South Africa and their second on home soil.
Van der Dussen didn’t contribute to the first innings collapse because of his early run-out, but his second innings dismissal at the hands of Yasir Shah precipitated the collapse from 175/1 to 245 all out.
The collapse wasn’t Van der Dussen’s fault, but such is their frequency that Van der Dussen referred to them as a “conglomerate of circumstances.”
“There were a few aspects of our batting that we weren’t happy with that we can improve on. We’re disappointed with that and that’s something we’re going to rectify. Pinpointing why we have some collapses is difficult. Maybe you could put it down to good bowling or maybe a bit of indecision from the new guys. Also run-outs in Test cricket is something that shouldn’t happen,” Van der Dussen said.
“It’s a bit of a conglomerate of circumstance. I don’t think there is one correct answer. I think when you go in, you need to take responsibility and give yourself the best chance to play a long innings.”
The first innings collapse was the toughest one for Van der Dussen to deal with. Having won the toss and batted first, South Africa had the best of the batting conditions, but didn’t utilize them correctly.
Their dismissal after tea and the bowlers subsequently reducing Pakistan to 27/4 on the first evening still gave Pakistan the best of the batting conditions on days two and three.
The sub-continent modus operandi is to bat for four/five sessions across days one and two after winning the toss and put the opposing team under pressure during the last session of the second day.
South Africa weren’t able to do this because of their batting collapses, something that disappointed Van der Dussen because of their excellent preparation leading into the game.
“First innings runs on the sub-continent are vital and as a batting unit, it was good enough because we had very good preparation leading into the game. Our preparation was spot on and had the right game plan, but maybe it was the execution lacking, along with responsibility,” Van der Dussen said.
“A few of us got in and got starts and on a good wicket while batting first, we needed to put pressure. We knew we needed at least 350. If we bat the whole day and get close to 400, it’s a different ball game. We were quite disappointed.”