Proteas likely to pursue draw

Proteas assistant coach Adrian Birrel hinted that a draw would be top of the team's mind on the final day of their Test against India at the Wanderers.
Proteas assistant coach Adrian Birrel hinted that a draw would be top of the team's mind on the final day of their Test against India at the Wanderers.
When play gets underway on Sunday the Proteas will have to decide whether they will aggressively pursue the 320 runs they still need for victory with eight wickets in hand.
With Morne Morkel unlikely to feature because of the ankle injury he sustained, the number of eligible batsmen at their disposal drops to seven while Imran Tahir's ability with the bat would suggest that India need only seven wickets for the win.
A draw would therefore be considered a win, but it has to be noted that the last time a Test match at the Wanderers finished without a result was back in 2000 when New Zealand toured the country.
On that occasion rain, not a defensive mindset, proved to be the deciding factor.
"At the moment we're thinking of the draw," Birrell said after the day's proceedings.
"But you never know with the likes of AB de Villiers still to come and the other remarkable players in our change room. We won't make the call now, it's too far ahead to think. If we bat the full day and we bat at the rate that we normally bat, we won't be far off from the win after 90 overs.
"The first hour will be important because it will give us the foundation to fight for the rest of the day."
Birrell said that the team's confidence could build if they were successful in the first session and that they would continuously assess the match situation.
While understandably uncertain about the team strategy on the decisive day, he lauded Alviro Petersen who, on an unbeaten 76, made a solid return after struggling to get past the 30-run barrier on no less than 11 previous attempts.
"Alviro has played fantastically well, he is well placed for a big score," added Birrell.
"Petersen and Faf du Plessis are both there and we have full confidence that they can bat a long time and lay the foundation to fight for the day. They are both fighters, they are not going to give it away, it's a great opportunity for them to play a meaningful and long innings."
Du Plessis was promoted ahead of AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis, who needed to recover after following a long day in the field in their respective roles as wicketkeeper and bowler.
<i>Michael Mentz at the Wanderers</i>
Latest
-
News
Jamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.
-
News
Azeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End
-
News
Jamie Overton falls just short of debut Test century as England take narrow lead
Newcomer Overton was caught behind for 97.
-
News
George Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
England
England top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New Zealand
Daryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.
-
England
Superb James Vince ton leads Hampshire to shock win over Somerset
Sussex’s five-match losing streak came to an end with a 17-run win over Surrey.
-
England
Adil Rashid to miss England’s India white-ball series to make Mecca pilgrimage
Rashid has found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments.