Proteas keep grinding in Rawalpindi

FEW would disagree with the presumption that Tristan Stubbs was playing for his Test career in Rawalpindi.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

And after Stubbs dropped a straightforward catch in the first over of Pakistan’s innings on Monday, there would even be those of the opinion that it served the Proteas right for sticking with a player clearly devoid of confidence.

But Shukri Conrad has not built up this World Test Championship-winning squad without supporting his players through both the good and, more importantly, the bad times.

So, instead of dropping Stubbs, Conrad pushed the tall right-hander back up to No 3 - where he was initially selected in the Test side, and had scored his maiden Test century. Stubbs’ response was his most assured Test innings since the home series against Sri Lanka last December to provide the visitors with a semblance of hope in this second Test at 185/4 in response to Pakistan's 333 all out.

The 25-year-old backed his defensive game against the Pakistan spin trio of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and 38-year-old debutant Asif Afridi. And unlike many modern batters who prefer to hit themselves back into form, Stubbs was prepared to grind it out by utilising 61 deliveries before he struck his first boundary.