Faf’s plea: be patient with us

Skipper Faf du Plessis said yesterday that South Africa’s leadership will have to be patient with an emerging team that crashed by 203 runs against India in the opening Test.

Chasing a daunting 395, the Proteas were bowled out for 191 on the fifth and final day to trail the three-match series 1-0.

But South Africa put up a fight in their first innings, posting 431 in response to India’s mammoth 502/7 declared.

Opening batsman Dean Elgar hit 160 to boost the spirit of a side looking to rebuild after the recent retirements of greats including Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn.

But yesterday the visitors were bundled out for 191 in their second innings despite rearguard action by Dane Piedt (56), below, and Senuran Muthusamy (49 not out).

“In Test cricket generally, experience counts for a lot. Experience is gained by playing at the highest level for a period of time,” Du Plessis told reporters.

“In this new phase of a lot of guys coming in, you have got to give it some time.”

He added: “Hash (Hashim Amla) finishing, AB (de Villiers) finishing a year ago, we got two players with a lot of runs behind their names finishing.

“It is going to take some time to fill those shoes but we as leadership understand that it is important to be patient with the guys because they will come through again.”

Elgar put together two crucial century partnerships with Du Plessis, who made 55, and Quinton de Kock (111) to stand up to the Indian spinners who are formidable in home conditions.

Du Plessis said he was confident his batsmen would adapt to the turning tracks in the upcoming matches.

Du Plessis also praised South Africa’s leading spinner Keshav Maharaj for his three wickets in India’s first innings.

“Keshav is a very, very good spinner,” he said.

The action shifts to Pune for the second Test starting on Thursday. – AFP