Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa
Rookie Proteas batsman Keegan Petersen is still coming to terms with his new-found status.
The 28-year-old was named Player of the Series after his outstanding exploits with the bat against India in the Freedom Series.
The stylish right-hander was the top run-scorer in the three-match Test sequence, amassing 276 runs at an average of 46.00. He was the only player to score more than three half-centuries, recording scores of 72, 82 and 62, whilst his slip fielding was another hallmark of the series.
Petersen says to accomplish what he has over the last few weeks was difficult to believe.
“It hasn’t completely sunk in yet,” he said. “I still can’t explain how it feels completely despite it being two days already.
“Myself, my family and everyone close to us are still trying to get over it somehow. It was a challenging series against one of the best bowling attacks in the world.
“It was by far the most challenging bowling I have come across in my career, whether it’s been in first-class cricket or any form of cricket.”
Petersen has now played five Tests for South Africa, although his previous three innings – all against West Indies – did not yield too many runs.
“It hasn’t been an easy introduction for me to international cricket, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way,” he explained. “My journey’s unique and it’s my story to tell as well.
“Whether I bat in the first couple of overs or whether I bat after 50 overs, I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to be there, playing amongst a group of guys who are also trying to start something new in South African cricket. We are also trying to tell a new story as a team together as well.”
South Africa lost the first Test by 113 runs in Centurion, before storming back with successive seven-wicket victories in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
It was the biggest win for the Proteas since Dean Elgar was appointed Test captain and Petersen has hailed the leadership of the new skipper.
He added: “Deano as our captain, he’s going to, he has and he is going to achieve great things as well as a captain. He’s a brilliant leader and we wouldn’t want anyone else to lead us.
“The achievement for us as a squad, we know the chips were down and the odds were against us especially after the first game where we were beaten. It wasn’t a good scenario, but we had a couple of strong chats after the game looking at ways to bounce back.
“It’s just our personalities and character as South Africans, even though we’re the underdogs, we always come back fighting. That’s just how we are and we showed that during this series. Hopefully it carries on for years to come.”
The two teams will now move on to the three-match One-Day International leg of the tour that begins on Wednesday, 19 January, in Paarl.
The tour is being broadcast live on SuperSport, SABC and Radio 2000.
Betway Test Series | Freedom Series
Squads
South Africa:
Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Peterson, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan
Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.
India:
Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah,
Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj
Schedule
1st Betway Test: South Africa lost to India by 113 runs at SuperSport Park, Centurion
2nd Betway Test: South Africa beat India by 7 wickets at Imperial Wanderers, Johannesburg
3rd Betway Test: South Africa beat India by 7 wickets at Six Gun Grill Newlands, Cape Town
Name of Author: Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa (CSA) governs cricket in South Africa. Formed in 2002, it succeeded the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) and became the sole governing body in 2008. CSA oversees all levels of cricket, including national teams for men and women, and is a full ICC member and SASCOC affiliate.
