Young players impress AB despite loss

SOUTH Africa lost the second one-day international against New Zealand to level the series in Christchurch yesterday‚ but AB de Villiers liked some of what he saw.

Most of it came from the newer members of his team like Dwaine Pretorius‚ who took 2/40 and scored a stirring 50 that came close to changing the result.

Andile Phehlukwayo also provided evidence that he belongs at this level in a stand of 61 with Pretorius. “It’s great to see them play with confidence and with a bit of freedom‚” De Villiers said.

“It tells a story about our culture within the team.

“The guys are really freed up and they feel they can just watch the ball and enjoy the cricket.

“They are fully backed by all the older guys and the management.

“So the guys feel confident and free to do whatever they want and to express their talent.

“I was pretty impressed with some of the younger guys.

“I thought Dwaine also bowled really well for us.

“The depth looks really good and the future looks bright.” So much for the positives. New Zealand‚ powered by Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 102‚ and half-centuries by Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham‚ totalled 289/4 but won by just six runs‚ and thereby hangs a tale of missed opportunities by South Africa’s batsmen.

The Proteas‚ who needed 15 to win when Pretorius was dismissed with the last ball of the penultimate over‚ were held to 283/9.

“A couple of good partnerships and with our deep batting I felt confident we would chase it down‚” De Villiers said.

Instead‚ only four batsmen reached 30 and Quinton de Kock’s 57 was South Africa’s top score.

South Africa will have the chance to fix their problems in the third match of the series in Wellington on Saturday.