Surprised India didn't declare, says Abbott
December 6, 2015, New Delhi, DHNS
It was a tiring outing for South Africa pace bowlers after India kept them on field whole day on Saturday. Pacer Kyle Abbott felt a slowed-down pitch and fatigued bowlers allowed India to bounce back on the third day.
South Africa had India in a spot of bother after reducing them to 57/4 but Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane struck a 133-run stand to regain control. Abbot praised the Indian batting but was surprised the hosts didn’t declare the second innings by evening.
“Feels like ages after spending today on the field. Tough conditions here in India. We've seen that the series has been dominated by the spinners, so nice to get in there with a couple of wickets for the seamers,” he said.
“To be quite honest, the longer they bat, the happier we are. More overs are taken out of the game. I thought they'll have a crack at us tonight, maybe an hour or so. But they want to drag it out. If that's the case, it's going to take more overs out for us to bat in the end.”
Abbott felt there was not much reverse swing in offer this day. “Even though we had them four down, they had a lead of about 260 at that stage. So I think if we had rattled one or two more in the morning but with all due respect, they batted incredibly well. We were also unlucky not to pick up a few.
“The pitch has got a bit slower. On the first morning there was a bit of bounce and carry from both ends. I wouldn't say it has totally gone. I think there was a bit of fatigue setting in. We were on the field for quite a long time.”
Asked about his experience of bowling in India, Abbott said: “I've discussed a lot about bowling in the sub-continent with Dale Steyn and he always said he was in the game always here. Generally pitches aren't 100% flat. There is a bit of bounce and reverse swing. I took that on board. It's about the mindset.“
South Africa had India in a spot of bother after reducing them to 57/4 but Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane struck a 133-run stand to regain control. Abbot praised the Indian batting but was surprised the hosts didn’t declare the second innings by evening.
“Feels like ages after spending today on the field. Tough conditions here in India. We've seen that the series has been dominated by the spinners, so nice to get in there with a couple of wickets for the seamers,” he said.
“To be quite honest, the longer they bat, the happier we are. More overs are taken out of the game. I thought they'll have a crack at us tonight, maybe an hour or so. But they want to drag it out. If that's the case, it's going to take more overs out for us to bat in the end.”
Abbott felt there was not much reverse swing in offer this day. “Even though we had them four down, they had a lead of about 260 at that stage. So I think if we had rattled one or two more in the morning but with all due respect, they batted incredibly well. We were also unlucky not to pick up a few.
“The pitch has got a bit slower. On the first morning there was a bit of bounce and carry from both ends. I wouldn't say it has totally gone. I think there was a bit of fatigue setting in. We were on the field for quite a long time.”
Asked about his experience of bowling in India, Abbott said: “I've discussed a lot about bowling in the sub-continent with Dale Steyn and he always said he was in the game always here. Generally pitches aren't 100% flat. There is a bit of bounce and reverse swing. I took that on board. It's about the mindset.“
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