The Proteas turned off the desperation to score runs and focused on a dogged approach, as they finished on 84-1 at tea, trailing Pakistan by 74 runs on Day 3 of the 1st Test at Karachi, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The Proteas ended the first session on 37-0 after Pakistan set a lead of 158.
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Aiden Markram got stuck in after the break, playing the patient game we have been calling out for.
He lost his opening partner Dean Elgar early in the second session when his attempted sweep shot saw him bottom edge the ball into his pad; the ball popped up and the keeper dove forward past the popping crease to take an excellent catch.
Shortly before that, he took a painful blow to the hand, and after receiving treatment for the second time since the blow, he lost his wicket. Although retiring hurt could have been an option, knowing Elgar’s character he took the tougher option to bat on.
A dogged innings was needed from both Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, and they obliged.
Markram ended the session on a 129-ball 34, meeting the spin on the defensive front-foot well, leaving deliveries he should and rotating the strike when necessary. He particularly played balls pitching outside leg expertly, using his pad to push out deliveries.
The situation plays into Van der Dussen’s style of play and he looked comfortable on a 17 off 80 balls going into the break on 84-1 after 42 overs.
Photo: Cricket South Africa
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