Port Elizabeth: All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo feels that the Proteas batsmen have now learnt how to counter the Indian leg-spinners and would walk into the fifth ODI as a more confident side.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, for the very first time in the series so far was carted for runs all over as the duo failed to restrict the hosts from reaching their target.
“We have a good momentum now from the last game we played. We have come really far that victory because the guys have been working really hard in the nets and we have been very specific about our training (against spin).
“(In the last game) We were looking to be positive now. We got into good positions and tried to pick the ball, watch the ball and played really straight,” Phehlukwayo said.
The pitch for the fifth ODI was brownish and historically, the spinners are said to receive a lot of assistance from it.
“We have been doing good analysis and have good game plans. Obviously the conditions were different (at Wanderers). So it’s a game plan that we have had in our change room, to be really positive, look to score and get into good positions,” said the left-handed batsman.
“You don’t want to worry too much about what they do but what you do as a team. Once again it’s a new game. So you just want to take the new stuff and back yourself. When I say change in game plan, I am also being specific about mentally. “We know about the wicket, its home conditions and we know how to go about it,” he added.
Commenting on the wicket, Phehlukwayo felt that the individual game plans of the players would be the key.
“We train really specifically. Guys know their individual game plans and what they need to do. I think the most important thing when you are batting is to watch the ball and try executing our game plan,” he said.
St. George’s Park, the venue for the fifth ODI hasn’t been a favourable one for the visitors. Since 1992, India have failed to win a single match out of the total five they played here and also haven’t been able to score 200 runs in an innings. The last statistic would definitely hurt the Indians, given their weak middle-order.
“If you take game by game, obviously they’ve been batting really well. It would be really nice to expose their middle order and hopefully see what they can do. At the same time we don’t want to really look too forward.
“The Proteas setup is really positive. We’ve got a good fighting spirit a good culture. It’s never done and out. We’re always looking to fight back. We really are encouraging around the change room. And as I said, we weren’t far away from a victory,” added the all-rounder.
His all-round abilities make him an important part of the side and he showcased his batting skills in the fourth ODI where he hit some lusty blows to finish off the match for the hosts with balls to spare.
Talking about the Pink ODI, he said, “It is a left-hand right-hand thing. If David Miller gets out, I’m a left-hander so I had to go out to keep the combination. I was told to look be really positive, watch the ball and execute my game plans.
“When bowling to someone like MS Dhoni, I was just personally trying to hit top of off-stump. Hit a hard length as hard as I can. Try to get a few dot balls.”
Phehlukwayo also said that he learnt playing spin from greats like Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock.
“I look up to the greats, Lance Klusener and also Shaun Pollock, who played spin very well. My hopes and dreams are to contribute and try to win a few games. Be positive, contribute on and off the field and be a leader in my own space,” he said.