Print

Please post once and this message will disappear! Introduce yourself, say hello, jump into a discussion...

[dextrous]

Graeme Smith believes South Africa's learned the lessons of their whitewash by Australia in beating New Zealand.
Smith applauded Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, who took five wickets each in the second innings, as well batsmen Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.

"With the wickets we've played on it's always one crucial performance that wins you the game," he said.

"This time it was us, with Jacques' grinding innings and AB's 97 - and then Makhaya and Dale with the new ball."

However, with the second Test of the three-match series beginning in Cape Town next Thursday, Smith said his bowlers must take heed of their failure to finish the first innings more quickly.

They had the Black Caps reeling on 89-6 but allowed them to put on another 238 for the final four wickets.

"I think there was a lot of frustration in the middle of the Test match after having those six wickets down for pretty much nothing and then letting it slip the way we did," Smith said.

"We probably could have bowled better with the old ball, but I think it's something we can improve on."

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming blamed the conditions for his side's inconsistent performance, but also said they could have shown more grit.

"Statistically it's convincing enough, but I think the tale of the Test shows that it was really about the morning sessions," he said.

"South Africa, particularly in their last innings, were able to generate enough chances to pull through.

"Certainly there were some poor shots, and it just built up with a difficult surface. We didn't do it well enough."

New Zealand have called up Michael Mason as cover for Shane Bond, whose knee injury made him a doubt for the second Test.

Bond has been plagued by injury in the last few years, managing to feature in just six Tests since 2003.

"It's too early for us to say whether Shane will be fit or not," said team manager Lindsay Crocker.

"But the way things are in the moment, we feel he's got a good chance and wouldn't want to count him out yet."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4925438.stm