Keshav Maharaj emphasizes patience and discipline as South Africa seeks victory against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha. The team aims for crucial breakthroughs on the final day.
Maharaj Advocates Patience
South Africa’s spinner Keshav Maharaj urged his team to adopt “old-fashioned Test cricket” for success on the final day against Sri Lanka. Maharaj highlighted the need for patience and discipline after South Africa “went searching” for wickets during the fourth day’s play.
Sri Lanka ended the day at 83/5, needing 143 runs to level the series.
Maharaj acknowledged that challenges of bowling on a surface that has become favourable for batting. He emphasized that the older, softer ball requires a tighter bowling strategy.
“It requires a lot of patience, especially as the ball gets older and softer. The wicket becomes a little bit more placid but we did go searching a little bit, if I’m honest,” Maharaj said at the post-play press conference. “Hopefully tomorrow we’ll go back to old-fashioned Test cricket like we did in that period where we got those seven wickets in the morning.”
Reflecting on the previous session, he said South Africa’s morning discipline had earlier earned them quick wickets. Now, the team must remain patient and execute their plans effectively.
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The Importance of Patience And Discipline
Keshav Maharaj underlined that patience would be crucial for South Africa to secure victory. On the fourth day, a slight deviation from disciplined bowling allowed Sri Lanka’s batter to settle in.
The Sri Lankan partnership between Kusal Mendus and Dhananjaya de Silva has grown to 83 runs. This phenomenal partnership created concerns for South Africa.
However, Maharaj believes that one breakthrough can trigger a collapse.
“Traditionally, the wickets do happen in clusters. There can be a period where the game goes nowhere and then all of a sudden, it takes one wicket to basically be the catalyst,” Maharaj said. “It’s about staying patient and hopefully reaping the rewards of some hard graft tomorrow morning.”
Lesson From Previous Successes
Maharaj also pointed to key moments where South Africa’s annto succeeded earlier in the match. His dismissals of Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendus in quick succession were examples of how patience and strategic bowling can pay off.
By targeting Mathews with extra flight and forcing a shot, Maharaj induced a crucial breakthroughs.”It was a big wicket. It obviously led to the wicket of Kamindu a couple of overs later.”
Kamindu was trapped by a quick switch kj Strategy, as Maharaj adjusted his angle to around the wicket. The spinner credited thorough preparation and team work for these dismissals.
“It didn’t look like he wanted me to settle in the rough, so [I thought] let me come around the wicket and keep him in the crease,” Maharaj said. “And it just paid off quickly. It paid off with the first ball I tried that.”
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