Steven Finn blames Newlands backdrop for dropped catches on Day 3 of the second test match against South Africa
England’s fast bowler Steven Finn feels that his team dropped catches because of the peculiarities of the layout of the Newlands ground. The Three Lions missed three potentially costly catches in the second Test against South Africa at Cape Town.
Hashim Amla was dropped twice as he battled through the third day’s play to finish unbeaten on 157 as the hosts finished on 353 for the loss of three wickets in reply to England's massive 629 for six declared. The Proteas captain went on to complete his double century on the fourth day of the test match.
In an interview, Finn said, “The level of the crowd and the colours in the crowd mean you lose sight of the ball, particularly when it gets older and darker. It is really hard to pick it up. They were tricky chances and not easy to see. No one wants to drop them.”
Among those three chances, the first one was a sharp chance off the first ball of Joe Root's over when a thick edge surprised James Anderson, standing at first slip with Amla on 76. Then Nick Compton dropped a hard catch off Finn’s bowling when Amla was batting on 120. The third catch that was dropped was of AB de Villiers, who was given a lifeline by Root on an Anderson delivery when he had made only five runs, De Villiers returned to score 88 and help give his side a foothold in the match.
We are ahead in this game: Finn
South Africa lost only one wicket on Day three to increase their chances of escaping with only a draw. But Finn remains confident and continued to hold out hopes of England winning to go 2-0 up in the series.
The Englishman said, “It will take a good morning session but I still say we are ahead in this game. Hopefully, if we get more chances, this time we’ll take them.”
The South African team was comprehensively beaten by England in the first Test in Durban. South Africa is the currently the No. 1 Test side in ICC Test rankings. The Proteas failed to win any of the last 7 matches they played and more interestingly will lose the top spot if they lose the series against England.
South Africa, who have been on top of the rankings for over a year, have had a terrible year in the longest format of the game. After beating West Indies in a Test in the first week of the year
South Africa drew 0-0 in Bangladesh in July, where they were a little unlucky with rain playing spoilsport. They then went visited India, where they had to endure a humiliating 3-0 defeat and then ended the year with another defeat against England at home.