South Africa will take positive approach trying to save final Test against Australia after washout
- Nasri Alexander
- 6 January 2023
Batting coach Justin Sammons says South Africa will take a positive approach into the batting innings after persistent rain meant no play was possible on day three of the final Test against Australia.
Australia are currently on 475-4 in the first innings with Usman Khawaja not out on 195 after intermittent rain also curtailed the first two days of Test.
The Proteas have had a tough tour Down Under having already lost the series after losing the first two Tests by big margins and they will need a big batting effort to save the current one when they back on the field.
Sammons insists they want to get out on the park and try to save the game in the next two days instead of watching the rain fall and sharing points that comes with a draw.
"It obviously has been a tough tour but the players are still looking forward to the challenge (of saving the game)," Sammons told reporters after play was abandoned on Friday.
"You don't improve by sitting in the dressing room on a rainy day. It is important for this group that they embrace those challenges and look forward to it because that's what Test cricket is about and that is how you are going to get better."
The Proteas have only mustered totals of 152, 99, 189 and 204 in the previous two Tests on tour and will need better effort to save the match in Sydney
When asked what the batting approach will be if they get back on the park, Sammons said: "You can easily can go into that mindset of 'I need to survive here'. We still need to have a positive mindset, that doesn't mean we will be reckless.
"We still have have this game and then two (at Tests at home) against the West Indies to finish our season and we want take as much confidence as possible into that series."
