Proteas show resolve through gritty Stubbs half-century to keep afloat in Rawalpindi

Few would disagree with the presumption that Tristan Stubbs was playing for his Test career in Rawalpindi.

And after Stubbs dropped a straightforward catch in the first over of Pakistan’s innings on Monday, there would even be those of the opinion that it served the Proteas right for sticking with a player clearly devoid of confidence.

But Shukri Conrad has not built up this World Test Championship-winning squad without supporting his players through both the good and, more importantly, the bad times. 

So, instead of dropping Stubbs, Conrad pushed the tall right-hander back up to No 3 – where he was initially selected in the Test side, and had scored his maiden Test century. Stubbs' response was his most assured Test innings since the home series against Sri Lanka last December to provide the visitors with a semblance of hope in this second Test at 185/4 in response to Pakistan’s 333 all out. 

The 25-year-old backed his defensive game against the Pakistan spin trio of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and 38-year-old debutant Asif Afridi. And unlike many modern batters who prefer to hit themselves back into form, Stubbs was prepared to grind it out by utilising 61 deliveries before he struck his first boundary.

His trademark fluency began to return the longer he spent at the crease with a couple of delightful drives through the covers, while he also used his feet positively to get to the pitch of the ball against the spinners.

By the time stumps were drawn on the second day, Stubbs had already faced the highest amount of deliveries of any batter across the two sides in the series thus far to finish unbeaten on 68 not out (184b, 6x4, 1x6).

“Obviously, he came off a disappointing Test in the first Test match, so I think he showed great character,” Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince said.

“I think a little bit clearer in his gameplan, clarity, understanding his scoring opportunities with his scoring strokes and obviously strong on defence so credit to him.

“I think he sort of sees it as a great opportunity to be able to go in at No 3 in these conditions we've always seen him as a player who's got a pretty decent game against spin and I think he sees moving up the order as a great opportunity for him and he’s taken it with both hands.”

But Stubbs could not keep Pakistan at bay all on his own. He required company after watching skipper Aiden Markram throw away all his hard work by holing out to long-on after being well set on 32. 

He found an able partner in the in-form Tony de Zorzi, who followed up his Lahore century with another polished 55. The pair added 113 for the third wicket to set up the Proteas’ response before Asif Afridi’s late removal of both De Zorzi and Dewald Brevis (0) kept the hosts just in front heading into the third day.

“Yeah, the last two wickets are not ideal,” Prince said.

“We know that starting your innings under these circumstances, under these conditions, is probably the hardest part of your innings. Then, when you only have 25 minutes to bat, you are probably not certain how much attacking to do or how much defending to do.

“A guy like Brevis would in his whole first-class career would not have had to bat in those circumstances many times, and then under these types of conditions. It's quite a challenge. So, it's not ideal that we lost the two wickets but I'd still say pretty good day for us.” 

It certainly was for Keshav Maharaj with the Proteas left-arm spinner snaring all five Pakistan wickets to fall on the second day to finish with 7/102. It precipitated yet another Pakistan batting collapse with the hosts losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs to give the Proteas just the sniff they have been battling all series for. 

Scores

Second Test, Day 2, Stumps

Pakistan: 333 all out

Saud Shakeel 66, Salman Agha 45, Maharaj 7/102

South Africa: 185/4

Stubbs 68*, De Zorzi 55, Markram 32, Asif Afridi 2/24, Shaheen 1/43, Sajid Khan 1/55

South Africa trail by 148 runs