FILE. Proteas batsman Reeza Hendricks has lamented the fact that his side were in a strong position to level the series, before a late batting collapse sealed their fate. Picture: AFP
Image: AFP
Despite fielding a relatively inexperienced Proteas team, it still came as a heavy blow to lose the T20 International series to hosts West Indies on Sunday, said South African batsman Reeza Hendricks.
Though they were well on course to chase down the 180 needed for victory in Tarouba, having plundered 63 in the first 4.3 overs for the opening partnership between Ryan Rickelton (20 from 13) and top-scorer Hendricks (44 from 18), wickets at crucial moments pegged the Proteas back.
In fact they were still well poised at 129/3 after 13.4 overs before they collapsed to 149 all out to go down 2-0 in the three-match series.
Hendricks said he felt his side were in the driving seat for the better part of their chase.
Despite fielding a relatively inexperienced Proteas team, it still came as a heavy blow to lose the T20 International series to hosts West Indies on Sunday, said South African batsman Reeza Hendricks.
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) August 26, 2024
Video: Cricket South Africa pic.twitter.com/JCCMjm9GNi
“It was disappointing losing today. We came out thinking we'd put on a good show to win, get over the line and try and level the series.
“I thought we did well, we bowled particularly well and I thought the score they got was a par score. We set it up nicely, unfortunately we lost our way in the middle and towards the back end.”
Hendricks conceded the last 10 overs did not go according to plan, but there were plenty positives in the way they played.
“With new players it's great exposure for them to international cricket, giving a few of them opportunities so they can see what international cricket is about,” said Hendricks.
“Some of them put their hands up, some of them contributed in the first game. There’s a lot of positives for those guys coming in and getting the opportunities. From here they can only grow after they take the learnings from this series.”
Allrounder Patrick Kruger in particular did well for the Proteas with 2/29 in the second match and 44 with the bat in the opening clash.
“Patrick Kruger playing the first series before the [T20] World Cup, and stepping out in the last game and doing particularly well. So there’ll be a lot he can take away from the series.”
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