‘We miss Dale, we miss Vern, we miss Kallis’
South Africa captain AB de Villiers has conceded that the lack of experience in the Test side has hampered their efforts against England, and that he'd go so far as to wish Jacques Kallis were still playing.
The Proteas lost the third Test against England on day three at the Wanderers, after an astonishing batting collapse, and thus lost the series two-nil with a game to play at Centurion.
With pacemen Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander injured, it was down to Morne Morkel to lead three very inexperienced bowlers, and then the batting line-up collapsed to Stuart Broad's fiery spell.
De Villiers, who skippered his first Test here, said: "We miss Dale, there's no excuse with that. We miss Vern, we miss Kallis as well."
Then he added: "But this is the team we have and the team I believe in. It's up to the 11 here and the 11 that get picked at Centurion to do something special. That's the way past players like a Kallis and a Smith did it.
"They had some tough times and they found a way to get through it to get to the top of the rankings. We've now got to find a way with what we have to become the best.
"We're not the same side anymore. There are lots of different players. We're still up there in the rankings, but that means absolutely nothing. I believe our form of late has been really poor and it will take something really special to turn it around.
"It's important for us to try and find that mould of cricket we're looking to play. We're a little bit offbeat at the moment, that's for sure."
The defeat meant South Africa dropped from top spot in the Test rankings down to third, and if they lose the fourth Test, they with go down another place. A mighty fall indeed.
Latest
-
NewsSilverwood unlikely to try Stokes-Buttler IPL job swap for England
Ben Stokes was promoted to the top of the order and Jos Buttler slotted in down at number five for Rajasthan Royals recently.
-
NewsRassie upbeat ahead of T20 series despite contrasting build-ups
South Africa have not played together since March while England had a full international programme over the summer.
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.
-
NewsOlly Stone ready to ‘bash down the door’ after England recall
The Warwickshire paceman was included in the one-day international squad against South Africa and impressed in an intra-squad warm-up game.
-
NewsSam Billings striving to make sure he keeps place in ‘phenomenal’ England side
Billings and Joe Root put on 103 for Jos Buttler’s XI in a 40-over intra-squad warm-up victory in Cape Town.
-
NewsJoe Root hits decisive 77 as Jos Buttler’s team triumph in England warm-up match
The 23-man squad was split in two for the 40-over practice match in Cape Town, with Team Eoin Morgan challenging Team Buttler.
-
NewsJoe Root hits 77 as England warm-up in Cape Town ahead of South Africa series
England split their squad into two teams for a 40-over practice match.