- Proteas opener Reeza Hendricks says it would be ideal if a top five batter could bat longer and see the innings through following the second T20 against the West Indies.
- South Africa levelled the T20 series 1-1 with a 16-run win despite a suffering batting collapse in St George’s.
- Hendricks scored 42 off 30 balls and adds he’s been tipped to possibly bowl more as a part-timer.
Proteas batsman Reeza Hendricks says the team’s top-order batsmen need to see the innings through following a brief collapse in Sunday’s second T20 against the West Indies.
South Africa levelled the five-match T20 series 1-1 after a 16-run victory in the second T20.
Hendricks and his opening partner Quinton de Kock gave the visitors a blistering start as they put on 73 inside the first seven overs.
Hendricks eventually made 42 off 30 balls, which included five fours and a six, before getting trapped by spinner Kevin Sinclair.
“It was just the way the bowler was bowling and different plans for different lengths. The powerplay allowed me to play straight, but Sinclair was firing in the block hole and hitting straight wasn’t easy,” Hendricks told reporters following South Africa’s victory.
“We couldn’t get away, he landed his yorkers quite a few times and therefore, we had to try something else. Therefore the lapse and those sort of shots were being played.”
After reaching 93-1 after 10 overs, the Proteas were well poised for a total closer to the 200-run mark.
But a familiar batting collapse in the second half saw the vistors scoring 73 runs with a further six wickets falling.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma top-scored with a brilliant 46 off 33 deliveries to see them end on 166/7.
Hendricks admits that there’s still a lot of room for improvement, saying that one of their top-order batsmen needs to see the innings through to the end.
“To have one of the top five batting to 15 overs and onwards would be ideal,” he said.
“I’m quite happy with the powerplay, but there are definitely areas to improve going forward into the next game with regards to the middle and the backend.
“We are aware of it and have chats about it so hopefully, our plans can work and our batters can pull it off.”
Chasing what appeared to be a modest 167, the West Indies hoped for a similarly fast start as their opening T20 win on Saturday.
However, the economical George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi combined for three key wickets as the Windies replied with 150/9.
Hendricks believes the pitch changed as the game progressed and played to the spinners’ advantage in St George’s.
“It changed a bit when they batted and the ball stopped a bit for the spinners and it was turning quite a bit, so the conditions slightly changed compared to yesterday… I think the bowlers executed very well today.”
Hendricks, the Proteas’ part-time spinner, had an expensive over in the first T20 – going for 21 runs.
In the second T20, Hendricks’ arm wasn’t needed thanks to a solid all-round bowling effort, but the 31-year-old says he has been taking his part-timer role quite serious.
“In the first game, we had to try something new and different. The bowlers didn’t execute too well, the West Indies played well. I tried my luck but it didn’t work out as planned,” said Hendricks.
“We got our bowlers covered, they have mentioned that I could possibly bowl so it’s something I’ve been working on in the nets and if they throw me the ball again, hopefully, I can give it a go.”
The third T20 is scheduled for Tuesday at 20:00 SA time.