Proteas rally for last push in final Test

South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis says the squad can do nothing more than take their learnings on to the next match and to focus on the positives after a disappointing series loss.
The senior players have taken on the responsibility to inspire the spirits in the Proteas camp ahead of the final Test match against India in Delhi later this week.
With the series lost and the end of a long tour in sight, it will be important to focus all the energies on the last effort of the 72-day tour, which remains significant despite its academic relevance.
Du Plessis said: "I'm a senior player and I'm finding it tough because the conditions dictate the way you play and your performances. It's important for us to try and keep them (younger players) positive, and we've done that.
"I thought that Dane (Vilas) kept really well on a wicket with spin and bounce and with the ball sometimes keeping low. What we have to try and do is to focus on the positives.
"Coming and facing this in your first Test series abroad is a challenge. These have been the toughest conditions that I have played under, it’s also been a challenge for the young guys coming in.
"It's a hard task for them because they get judged by playing Test cricket in these conditions where you have found that even our experienced players have found it tough. We have to keep motivating them and to keep the spirits high.
"The good thing about it is you can learn from this, improve your game, even I have learnt a lot about my game in the last few matches. I've concentrated on my defence against spin in the first 20 balls I face.
"In South Africa, Australia and New Zealand you can take your time, even if you aren't getting bad balls, but the surface here doesn't dictate what's going to happen. This is a huge learning curve for us and also something we can take forward."
Latest
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.
-
News
Jofra Archer setback adds to England’s fast bowling injury crisis
Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season this week.
-
News
England bowler Jofra Archer sidelined for the summer after injury setback
Archer has suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.
-
News
Paul Farbrace: Che Simmons may play for England after signing Warwickshire deal
The 18-year-old has signed a three-year contract.
-
News
Paul Collingwood ‘desperate to help out’ new England coaches, says Rob Key
Australia’s Matthew Mott has been appointed to lead the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum the new man in charge of the Test side.
-
News
Matt Parkinson out of England squad with Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are back.