Why is Marco Jansen Glad About His Six-Wicket Haul Against India?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Marco Jansen's six-wicket haul was crucial in dismissing India for 201.
- His first-innings score of 93 bolstered South Africa's position.
- Jansen praised the contributions of his teammates, particularly the spinners.
- The pitch offered good pace and bounce, aiding fast bowlers.
- South Africa is on the brink of a historic series win in India.
Guwahati, Nov 24 (NationPress) South Africa’s left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen expressed his satisfaction after fulfilling his role for the team with a remarkable six-wicket haul, dismissing India for 201 in the ongoing second Test in Guwahati.
Jansen's impressive figures of 6-48, following his first-innings score of 93, have placed the Proteas on the verge of a significant series victory in India. He is now among the elite few, becoming only the third left-arm fast-bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in India, following Zaheer Khan and Mitchell Johnson.
“The team performed excellently today. I managed to keep the momentum from last night. My focus was solely on doing my part for the team, which I’m pleased to say I accomplished. The pitch offered a nice pace and bounce, although there wasn’t much swing or nip, just a little towards the end,” Jansen stated.
“Once we noticed the bounce and pace in the wicket, we aimed to make the most of that. I aspire to contribute across all areas like you, Shaun. I believe the spinners were exceptional today, and I was fortunate to capitalize on the situation,” he added during the post-match discussion after day three, where South Africa holds a commanding lead of 314 runs.
He praised the spinners for their effective performance in conditions that offered minimal assistance. “Today was a great day for the team and particularly for me. However, the spinners did remarkably well during the periods when the ball wasn’t moving much,” Jansen remarked.
“Who claimed we didn’t compete vigorously? As I mentioned, the wicket had a nice pace and bounce, which was beneficial. We anticipated we might be fielding for at least two days,” he continued.
Jansen also highlighted the importance of spinners in the upcoming days, as South Africa aims for its first Test series win in India in 25 years. “I still believe it’s a good pitch. The ball is starting to turn now, and it’s holding up a bit. Therefore, I anticipate the spinners will play a significant role in the second innings, likely starting tomorrow and continuing the following day,” he concluded.