Proteas stand-in Keshav Maharaj is confident his young team can bounce back against New Zealand.
Image: AFP
Proteas stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj acknowledged the inexperienced nature of the team in New Zealand, but reiterated that it is no excuse for the eight-wicket loss in Auckland, as they trail the Black Caps 2-1 in the five-match series.
The result in Auckland was their second consecutive defest since arriving in New Zealand, with one victory during the series opener. There is no arguing that the Proteas have sent a very inexperienced team to New Zealand, with a number of players playing in only their third international match.
The feat has definitely played a hand in the team's back-to-back losses. However, Maharaj insists that inexperience is not an excuse for the poor results and that the squad is professional enough to find a way to get positive results in New Zealand.
"We are very inexperienced, and you can understand the inconsistencies, but it's not an excuse," Maharaj told the media after the third T20. "I think we're all professional enough; we are representing our country, so we've just got to go look back at ourselves and just find ways through it.
"We have to put away our egos when it comes to playing on these types of wickets because it doesn't allow you to play with the freedom that you want at times. But I wouldn't use it (inexperience) as an excuse, even though we have a very inexperienced squad. The guys are professional enough and mature enough to find ways to combat it."
Beside the result, coach Shukri Conrad is playing the long game by taking youngsters on tour, with the likes of Nqobani Mokoena and Dian Forrester set to take away invaluable lessons from the series.
Maharaj understands the bigger picture in that the youngsters will gather experience of playing against world-class players and take that knowledge forward into their careers, especially with the main players, including Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram, in their early 30s and perhaps in the tail-end of their careers.
"I think playing against world-class bowlers is a huge part and obviously bowling to world-class batters," Maharaj said.
"But the ability to adapt in situations quicker rather than later is something that I think these guys will go back to domestic cricket, and the local tournaments, and sort of implement when they do get on spicy wickets like this."
South Africa are currently 2-1 down in the series with the fourth match set to take place in Wellington on Sunday. Going into Wellington, the Proteas will be looking to level the series and fight to complete a heist of note in the fifth and final match in Christchurch.