Proteas remain focused on finishing tour on a high
South Africa’s left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, says the team is focused on achieving a result in the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford, despite the weather and the end of a long tour in sight.
The Proteas will be faced with another tough challenge to finish the tour, in the form of a record fourth innings chase at the Manchester venue.
The batsmen will have one last opportunity to put in a strong performance after paltry scores throughout the series, enough motivation for a line-up with high standards.
“We want to play,” he said after the third day’s play which was affected by rain. “We want to try and win some pride and draw the series. Whatever England sets us, we are looking forward to it.
“Yes, we haven’t scored many runs as a batting unit and as a team this series, but that is there to be broken. It can only get better from here and hopefully it can be in this game.
“A lot of teams could fall into that situation,” he said of having one foot on the plane. “We spoke about it before this match but we have spent so much time away from home, what is one more week doing something we love in front of the world.
“We are not bothered by it, we are focused on the task at hand going into the last few days.”
England have an imposing lead of 360 runs with two wickets in hand, an innings propelled by a determined resolve from Moeen Ali, who is unbeaten on 67.
The Proteas bowlers put in an impressive fightback to restrict the home team to 224/8, a total which could have been a lot less if Ali hadn’t been dropped on 15.
“Having dropped a few catches doesn’t help,” Maharaj admitted. “In saying that, there are some runs to be scored out there. Hopefully our batting unit can come together as a team and chase down what England set us.
“Cricket is a funny game,” he added. “You drop some catches and you also take some blinders. No person in the field intends to drop a catch, that is the way the game goes.
“Moeen took his chance from then on but who knows, if they don’t declare overnight we come back and take a few quick wickets and hopefully chase a lesser target.”
Maharaj says Heino Kuhn, who is struggling with hamstring injury, will be fit to bat and is determined to finish the tour on a high.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.