Proteas opening batter, Sarel Erwee, reiterated the need for him to put up big scores to help cement his place in the Proteas opening spot alongside captain Dean Elgar. 

The Proteas opening duo of Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar put on another 50-plus partnership in the second innings of the second Test.

The two batters have enjoyed a successful partnership between each other and Erwee suggested that their good run of form has a lot to do with their off-field relationship. 

“I think we share a good relationship off the field. Taking that off-field relationship onto the field helps you understand your partner a little better and what makes him tick and what makes me tick,” said Erwee. 

The Proteas declared with 15 overs remaining on Day 3 and with their a second innings score of 176-6.

Erwee emphasized that it was always a plan to declare with a 400-run lead. 

“We had a minimum score of 400 lead that we were looking at before we were going to declare and obviously a certain number of overs to get that 400 lead. It was always in the plan. That’s why you saw positive shot making while we were batting,” he said. 

Erwee’s ton in New Zealand seemed to have cemented his spot in the side but the 32-year-old told the media that he has a lot of big scores to make for him to get to a point where he feels the opening spot is his. 

“I’ve got to control the controllables and that’s me batting out there. I’ve got to analyze, I’ve got to relook at certain things. I’ve got to put on some bigger scores on the board to help myself,” he concluded.