By Anand Philar, IANS
Chennai : South Africa’s opening batsmen Neil Mckenzie Wednesday said the batsmen will have to carry on their excellent work of the opening day in the first Test against India and see they do not squander the initial advantage.
South Africa scored 304 for the loss of just four wickets with Mckenzie falling a mere six short of what would have been a brilliant century.
“We have set up things nicely now and we hope to add another 200 or 250 runs as that is our target. We still have some batting to come,” Mckenzie said.
McKenzie did not hide the disappointment of missing on a Test hundred.
“It was a good pitch to bat on and I was quite pleased with the way I batted today. However, to have come so close to scoring a Test match hundred and miss it was obviously a big disappointment,” said the 32-year old from Johannesburg.
McKenzie said the tour of Bangladesh earlier this year was a “watershed” in his career as he scored a double century on way to claim a world record opening stand with skipper Graeme Smith.
Reflecting on his comeback season after a four-year break when he was out of the national side, McKenzie said he was offered the opening slot in Bangladesh and he had no other choice, as it was the only position vacant.
“On sub-continent pitches, it is always best to open the innings as the ball comes nicely on to the bat and the wicket is conducive to batting initially. I got the front foot out of the way today and it helped me a great deal,” he said.