Khaya Zondo believes the Proteas batsmen can improve in Melbourne.
The South Africans took part in their final training session in Brisbane on Wednesday where they suffered a six-wicket defeat to the hosts inside two days over the weekend.
They leave for Melbourne on Thursday and will be hoping for a much better performance in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
A lot of the focus in the aftermath of the opening defeat has been on the struggles of the batsmen but Zondo is confident they can improve as a unit.
“We just need to apply ourselves, get really focused, make sure that we’re present at the crease all the time,” he told the media on Wednesday.
“Look, a lot of guys are new to Test cricket, so there’s obviously new tricks, it’s a different intensity, guys are still trying to get used to that as well, so we just really need to focus on the ball and have all your soul and might there and give it your best shot.
“That’s what [advise] I would give to guys. Everyone has their own challenges and they’ve got to find a way to work through it.”
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Zondo played only his third Test for his country in Brisbane and, like many of his teammates, is inexperienced at the highest level.
With so many retirements in the past few years, South Africa were always expected to go through a transition phase and the tough schedule has not helped.
“I did think that this year – for anyone who was going to be in the national team – was going to be a tough year of international cricket,” he explained.
“The first series was in New Zealand, then it was Bangladesh, then it was going to England and now it’s Australia, so you’ve got some tough competition and it’s a good test to see if you can handle Test cricket as a player, and that’s for everyone whether you’re a batsman or a bowler.
“Most of the pitches have been quite tough. As a batsman in England, it’s tough.
“It was the first time for most guys in England with the national team so it was not going to be an easy task. Similarly this side with the first pitch we got [in Australia].
“So I would just say it’s a test for everyone, especially the batters because the pitches haven’t really been that friendly to them.”
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The 32-year-old has more than 6,000 first-class runs to his name and was amongst the few players to walk away with some credit from that first Test where he top-scored in the Proteas’ second innings with 36.
Reflecting on the step-up from domestic to international cricket, he added: “I would say the intensity is different and there’s quite a difference with the execution of the skills.
“At this level, they don’t give you much to score off as a batsman. You also just can’t sit on one end and think that you’ll survive because the bowlers will find a way to work you out.
“You’ve also got quality bowlers coming at you all the time whereas at franchise level you don’t have that.
“There’s also quality spinners and the guys, in general, are just ruthless in terms of how they execute their skills and their basics are sharp. You have to also be extremely watchful with how you bat as well in terms of the lines and defending your stumps.”
