“You do your homework, but you have to trust your preparation and technique,” said Proteas batsman, Rassie van der Dussen, stating the importance of having an individual game plan in conjunction with the information players receive during their preparation.
Playing his first Test series away from home, van der Dussen described it as a “pretty special feeling.
“It’s been a great experience. I’ve enjoyed seeing new stadiums, new practice facilities,” elaborated Van der Dussen.
Rassie van der Dussen compared conditions in Rawalpindi, where the Proteas will face Pakistan in the second and final Test match of the series, with the Highveld in South Africa.
“It’s quite chilly, the outfield is quite hard. It feels like a winter game in the Highveld.”
Reflecting on the first Test match against Pakistan in Karachi, van der Dussen highlighted the positives, stating: “It’s good to be out there and know that your preparation and execution was good.”
Explaining certain differences between batting in South Africa and Pakistan, Van der Dussen said:
“The obvious difference is the bounce. There is less bounce in the subcontinent.”
With spin being a significant talking point for the South African batsmen, Van der Dussen said spinners in South Africa typically get more bounce, which increases the likelihood of getting caught at slip, but reduces the risk of an LBW dismissal.
In the subcontinent, however, despite less bounce than South Africa, “all dismissals are in play.”
Terming Pakistan as a “very balanced bowling lineup,” van der Dussen knows that “every bowler is going to challenge you.”
The seamers were adept at exploiting reverse swing, while both spinners, Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali, posed their own threats.
South Africa, Van der Dussen said, was disappointed to have scored only 220 runs in the first innings of the first Test, despite preparing well in the lead up to the game. “We needed 350, at least,” rued Van der Dussen.
Asked about the frequent batting collapses the Proteas have experienced over the last few series, van der Dussen said there was no one reason he could pinpoint to.
“It goes down to the fundamentals of building an innings,” he explained. Citing the example of the first Test, Van der Dussen said the batsmen needed to execute better and take more responsibility after getting good starts.
Van der Dussen threw his support behind under-fire captain, Quinton de Kock, who was at the receiving end of significant criticism for his captaincy in the first Test.
“Quinny is quite consistent as a character. He has a brilliant cricket brain. Guys executed their plans, and field placements were great,” he continued.
“Pakistan actually copied our field placements,” illuminated Van der Dussen.
Still in wait for his first century in a Proteas shirt, Van der Dussen said: “I’ve thought about it my whole life.”
Committed to his preparation and giving himself the best opportunity to play as many balls as he can, Rassie van der Dussen knows he will get there, eventually.
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