South Africa created possibilities to take 14 catches within the first Test in opposition to West Indies and captured 13 of them
Notably, ten of the 13 a hit grabs have been at the back of the stumps: seven at slips, two via the wicketkeeper, and one on the street. This is the world through which South Africa jointly dropped seven catches in opposition to Sri Lanka ultimate 12 months and Pakistan previous this 12 months – 5 at slip and two via the wicketkeeper.
He surrounded South Africa’s past flaws changing personnel after the retirement of the high-profile regular. “We have misplaced Faf (du Plessis) and Hashim (Amla), and they’ve performed a large position,” Ontong explained.
“You need to take a look at and get your highest slip fielders in puts two and 3. It used to be crucial house for us. Aiden and Vian have been outstanding on this Test. It used to be an issue of having them in the precise puts.”
Justin Ontong
Mulder reacted quickly to chance Kyle Meyers’ lead off Enrique Nortje, who had to be taken down at third slip, which he has cemented as his spot. “You need to take a look at and get your highest slip fielders in 2nd and 3rd. It used to be crucial house for us,” Otong said. “Aiden and Viaan have been outstanding on this Test. It used to be only a topic of having them in the precise puts.”
Otong said that the coaching staff identified Markram and Mulder as members of the hoop because, “Generally excellent batsmen are excellent slip fielders, have excellent eyes and feature excellent reflexes”. He then did special work to prepare him for the task: “It’s great to have Mark Boucher (as a trainer) who has performed numerous Tests and is status at the back of the stumps. There’s some nice enter from him. We Do so much. -Hand stuff, reflex paintings to make other people boost up and up to now other people have answered neatly.”
So good, that Ontong could not identify any areas that needed improvement ahead of Friday’s second Test and said South Africa would work to maintain the bar they had set. “It is hard to observe a Test fit like sooner than. We have been superb in all 3 departments,” he said. “We’re going to paintings laborious at the back of the scenes to ensure we do not drop requirements.”
Firdous Munda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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