South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was hopeful of South Africa chasing down a record 4th innings total at Old Trafford and said that the team remains focused on achieving a result in the final Test. Hosts England have already taken a lead of 360 runs with 2 wickets still in hand and the visiting Proteas need to bat out of their skin to harbour any hopes of winning the Test and levelling the series.
This will be the last opportunity for the batsmen to rise to the occasion after meagre scorers all through the series which might be enough motivation for them to create history.
“We want to play,” Maharaj said after the third day’s play which was halted by rain.
“We want to try and win some pride and draw the series. Whatever England sets us, we are looking forward to it. Yes, we haven’t scored many runs as a batting unit and as a team this series, but that is there to be broken. It can only get better from here and hopefully it can be in this game,” Maharaj further added.
The spinner also conceded that the Proteas fans can be rest assured that they won’t follow “one foot on plane trap” trap.
“A lot of teams could fall into that situation. We spoke about it before this match but we have spent so much time away from home, what is one more week doing something we love in front of the world. We are not bothered by it, we are focused on the task at hand going into the last few days,” Maharaj said.
The visitors dropped a few important catches which didn’t help their cause.
“Having dropped a few catches doesn’t help,” Maharaj admitted.
“In saying that, there are some runs to be scored out there. Hopefully, our batting unit can come together as a team and chase down what England set us.
“Cricket is a funny game. You drop some catches and you also take some blinders. No person in the field intends to drop a catch that is the way the game goes. Moeen took his chance from then on but who knows, if they don’t declare overnight we come back and take a few quick wickets and hopefully chase a lesser target,” Maharaj concluded.