Proteas team director Enoch Nkwe remains optimistic

Proteas interim Team Director Enoch Nkwe lamented that they have no one but themselves to blame after India piled on 601/5 before declaring on day two of the second Test in Pune.

After winning the toss and electing to bat again in the second Test, India captain Virat Kohli steered his side to another mammoth first innings total, scoring a double-century (254) in the process.

Nkwe, who together with his team finds himself in the same position as they were in the first Test in Visakhapatnam, says they allowed the Indian batsman to get in by bowling inconsistent lines and lengths.

Nkwe credited India and the way they played thus far especially skipper Kohli. With South Africa resuming on 36/3 on Saturday morning, Nkwe adds that he hopes they will take a lot of lessons out of India’s performances with the bat going into their first innings.

Much like the first innings, South Africa will need to bat time and look to save the Test by salvaging a draw which will be highly unlikely. However, Nkwe has declared that his charges are not going to back down.

The former Lions coach believes that in order to bat out the day, the Proteas need to survive the first hour of play unscathed. He concluded that they need to bat time. – Report by Thando Gqamane