It’s not finished yet, we still got our game faces on: Ottis Gibson

The South African team has done a nifty job in the ongoing second Test at Centurion and are currently seating in the driver’s seat. After setting up a target of 287 for the visitors, the Proteas reduced India to a measly 35/3 at stumps on Day 4. Thus with victory right in their sight, the hosts will aim to go all guns blazing at the Men in Blue on the final day of the deciding Test.

Speaking on the same lines, South Africa coach Ottis Gibson has urged his side to keep their “game faces” on ahead of day five as they close in on a series victory over the numero uno Test team India in the second Test in Centurion. With marquee batsman Virat Kohli already sent back to the hut, the Indian team will face an uphill task and the hosts will try and capitalize on the misfortunes of the visitors.

Speaking to SuperSport, Ottis Gibson said, “We are in a good position in the game, it’s been four days of grinding test cricket, so to be a little bit in the ascendancy is a good place to be. It’s not finished yet, we have to make sure that when we wake up tomorrow morning we have still got our game faces on.”

The South African camp has also made it known they are unhappy with the uncharacteristic pitch at Centurion Park, having hoped for a seaming wicket to assist their lethal pace attack. Instead, they have a pitch that looks more like one from the subcontinent, though the variable bounce is something their fast bowlers have been able to exploit.

Ngidi to play a crucial role on final day

Dale Steyn, who suffered an injury in the last Test at Cape Town was subsequently sidelined for the remainder of the Test series. In his place, Lungi Ngidi earned his debut and has been a revelation in the Proteas side in the ongoing game.

The debutant seamer bagged the key wicket of Virat Kohli for five in the second innings with a ball that jagged back and kept low, trapping the Indian captain in front of the stumps. He has figures of 2-14 in India’s second innings and is likely to be a handful again on the final day.

“He (Ngidi) is very exciting like I said before the test match I had heard a lot of good things about him. Mark Boucher and a lot of other good cricket brains speak very highly of him,” Gibson said. “He has come in and settled very well.”

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