Proteas fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, emphasised that they are focusing on the next two days and will be up for whatever it is they have to do to draw the third Test match in Port Elizabeth.
The Proteas finished on 208/6 in a day that was interrupted by rain for over four hours. Nortje (18 off 136) lasted 189 minutes in the middle and literally watched the top order batters lose their wickets all around him.
“There were probably one or two good dismissals,” said Nortje about the manner in which the top order batters lost their wickets.
“Also one or two (where) we probably got ourselves out. We definitely didn’t give all our wickets away.”
Nortje showed a lot of fight and character for the second time this series, making him only the second night-watchman to last for over two hours twice in a series. Syed Kirmani’s efforts in the India-Austalia series in 1979/80 series made him the first to achieve this feat.
“(I) try to go out there and fight,” he added.
“When conditions get tough, when its 40 degrees or whatever (I) try to be the guy to run-in hard and try make things happen with the ball in hand, not really with the bat.
“But when I do get the opportunity when I have to take a few blows or whatever, I’m willing to do that.”
Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander put on a partnership of 54 runs for the 7th wicket and will continue to bat on day four.
Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
