'Facing the new ball helped my game'
Promotion as an opener worked well for Neil McKenzie.
Chennai: Being part of an enigmatic side like South Africa, Neil McKenzie could not be expected to be any different.
The man who was involved with a world record opening partnership with skipper Graeme Smith in Bangladesh recently, has been out of the side for over three-and-a-half years, only to return against the West Indies in January this year.
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He made his presence felt at the Test here as well, knocking off 94 runs at double-quick time before being dismissed. It was his initial assault that afforded his side the comfort of 300-plus runs.
“There was a bit more bounce on the track than we anticipate in the sub-continent," he said, going over the day’s play. “However, we had little difficulty against the spinners, since we have been analysing videos of their bowling for a while now.
“But if the South African bowlers like Dale Steyn had got the same sort of bounce, things would have been difficult for the Indian batsmen," he said, in a little bit of a warning to the rivals.
Having spent his early years in the middle-order, promotion as an opener has really worked for McKenzie. “It was a positive move," he says. “Facing the new ball was always a challenge and it helped my game."
Asked about the match situation, he said: “Another 130-140 runs, and we will be in a very good position."
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