‘Happy with my contribution’ - Tony de Zorzi reflects on valuable knock against West Indies in first Test

South Africa opener Tony de Zorzi played a valuable knock of 78 runs in the opening Test against West Indies in Trinidad. Ahead of the series, the 26-year-old stated that it would be a difficult task for him to fill the boots of retired Dean Elgar but the cricketer managed to start well and would hope to continue in the same momentum. 

Zorzi was pleased with the way he batted and stated to have had nice partnerships with Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma on Day 2 of the first Test. After losing his opening partner Aiden Markram early, Zorzi held one end and built a partnership of 43 runs with Stubbs, who was playing his second Test. 

After he departed after scoring 20 runs, Bavuma took control of the situation as Zarzi built a 51-run partnership with him. The captain after which played a vital knock of 86 runs, as South Africa posted 357 runs on board in the first innings. Zorzi stated that the wickets were similar to that of South Africa and for which, he managed to score those runs.

“I thought it was alright. I would have liked to have kicked on a bit. Temba and I had a nice partnership there after Tristan (Stubbs) went out, so it was important for us to consolidate, so I’m happy with my contribution towards the team (total),” de Zorzi was quoted as saying by IOL.

“We do have a couple of coastal wickets that tend to play like this as the games go on for four day cricket. Even in Cape Town and Paarl — which is not really a coastal wicket — but it starts to play similar, so I’d say we have a few,” he added. 

Notably, Jomel Warrican picked up four wickets for West Indies while Jayden Seales picked up three. They now need to put up a good score with the bat to put the pressure back on South Africa.