New Zealand didn’t deserve more, says Smith
South Africa captain pleased after 1-0 win in Test series.
WELLINGTON:
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said that his side’s 1-0 win in the Test series against New Zealand was more than well-deserved after the tourists drew the final match in Wellington.
A heroic century by 21-year-old Kane Williamson trumped a hostile South African bowling attack and allowed New Zealand to hang on for a tenacious draw on the final day.
South Africa secured the series but were on the verge of a second victory before tea after a sensational bowling performance by Morne Morkel reduced New Zealand to 83 for five.
However, New Zealand lost only one further wicket as Williamson held firm in a defiant 80-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kruger van Wyk, following that with an unbeaten 37-run partnership with Doug Bracewell.
The South African fieldsmen grounded multiple chances helping New Zealand reach 200 for six at stumps after Smith set an imposing 389-run target.
‘New Zealand played defensively’
Smith said New Zealand could not have asked for a better scoreline, ruling out that the hosts deserved to have a go at the target with a sporting declaration. “I don’t think New Zealand deserved anything more,” said Smith.
“I felt they could have been more aggressive in their first-innings. They never got to three runs per over and maybe played a bit defensively. But we were aggressive throughout.”
Morkel finished with the man-of-the-match award after career-best figures of six for 23 in the second-innings.
New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum admitted his side fell short. “They deserved to win the series,” said McCullum. “They definitely didn’t want to give us a sniff, and I understand that because they dominated the game for so long. They didn’t need to entertain the thought of us winning.”
Meanwhile, Taylor, who suffered a broken forearm, underwent surgery and the New Zealand management said he would be sidelined for at least four weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2012.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said that his side’s 1-0 win in the Test series against New Zealand was more than well-deserved after the tourists drew the final match in Wellington.
A heroic century by 21-year-old Kane Williamson trumped a hostile South African bowling attack and allowed New Zealand to hang on for a tenacious draw on the final day.
South Africa secured the series but were on the verge of a second victory before tea after a sensational bowling performance by Morne Morkel reduced New Zealand to 83 for five.
However, New Zealand lost only one further wicket as Williamson held firm in a defiant 80-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kruger van Wyk, following that with an unbeaten 37-run partnership with Doug Bracewell.
The South African fieldsmen grounded multiple chances helping New Zealand reach 200 for six at stumps after Smith set an imposing 389-run target.
‘New Zealand played defensively’
Smith said New Zealand could not have asked for a better scoreline, ruling out that the hosts deserved to have a go at the target with a sporting declaration. “I don’t think New Zealand deserved anything more,” said Smith.
“I felt they could have been more aggressive in their first-innings. They never got to three runs per over and maybe played a bit defensively. But we were aggressive throughout.”
Morkel finished with the man-of-the-match award after career-best figures of six for 23 in the second-innings.
New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum admitted his side fell short. “They deserved to win the series,” said McCullum. “They definitely didn’t want to give us a sniff, and I understand that because they dominated the game for so long. They didn’t need to entertain the thought of us winning.”
Meanwhile, Taylor, who suffered a broken forearm, underwent surgery and the New Zealand management said he would be sidelined for at least four weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2012.