Luck was just out of reach for the Black Caps on day one. Photo / Photosport
Black Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen was surprised by two things today – but not the South African fightback.
The Black Caps had talked for the past six days about how they expected South Africa to be back to their best in the second test after their first-test trouncing. Whether
they believed that, or it was just the right mindset to take or an easy clichéd line to offer media, they got what they expected on day one of the second test, with South Africa reaching stumps at 238-3.
However, while they were prepared for a better performance from the visitors, Jurgensen acknowledged that South Africa choosing to bat first was a surprise, as was the impact of the wind on a blustery day at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
"You look at the make-up of their team, maybe with the spinner [selecting Keshav Maharaj] that gave them the option to go either way," Jurgensen said when professing he didn't expect South Africa's toss choice.
"The pace and the bounce that we saw in the first test wasn't quite there, but at the same time our bowling group certainly created opportunities, so I think there's still enough there. But South Africa applied themselves and batted really well."
