Proteas disappointed that there were no centuries Down Under, says Ashwell Prince

PROTEAS batting coach Ashwell Prince told the media on Thursday that the team was disappointed that there were no centuries during their 2-1 ODI series victory Down Under.

The Proteas are currently in the United Kingdom ahead of next week’s three-match One Day International series against England.

Despite having won the ODI series in Australia last week, where the batters scored numerous half-centuries, none of them managed to reach the three-figure mark, a feat which Prince described as disappointing.

Matthew Breetzke scored two half-centuries while Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs also scored fifties.

Prince told the media that the team’s ambitions from the batting point of view are to maintain their positive, entertaining approach, especially after batters cross the half-century mark, a feat that could result in fewer centuries.

“Maybe a little bit disappointing that nobody went on to score 100, but to be honest, the focus is more on making an impact. We don't necessarily want somebody who's in the 70s and 80s to have just 100 in the back of his mind and sort of nursing himself towards that,” Prince said.

“We want to try and encourage, particularly those guys in that phase of their innings, that if they fancy it, they put their foot down. Sometimes they will go on to get 100, and if they don't, if they bum out, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

“But we're encouraging guys to, particularly before the final power play, to take advantage of the one extra fielder being up in the circle. So, if you're feeling good and you want to take it on, by all means, do so.”

The batters have another opportunity to try and maintain the positive approach and reach the three-figure mark simultaneously during the three ODIs in England next week. 

Headingly in Leeds is set to host the first ODI of the series on Tuesday, 2 September, with the first ball set to be bowled at 2 pm SAST.