Bowlers must do better: De Villiers

South Africa wicket-keeper hopes for improved show against Australia.

ADELAIDE: South Africa have learned lessons from the drawn first Test and are looking for their star bowlers to lead the way in this week’s Adelaide Test, according to wicket-keeper AB de Villiers.

The Proteas salvaged a draw under pressure by batting out 68 overs to finish the final day of the Brisbane series-opener on 166 for five, after trailing by 115 runs in the first-innings.

“The bowlers can improve and they know they can,” said de Villiers. “We had our chances, we had opportunities and we just didn’t take them.”

He lamented South Africa’s inability to press their advantage home after having Australia struggling at 40 for three in the first-innings, only for the hosts to reach 565 for five declared.

“When we had them three down early on, I thought there was an opportunity to really run through the batting line-up. We beat the bat a lot but not to get the results is disappointing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2012.