'Every nation wants to win a Test series. India have won a series and they have outplayed us. No complaints. We are looking forward to trying and outplaying them'
Their confidence in tatters after being entangled in a spin web on a rank-turner in Jamtha, Nagpur, the South Africans seemed a bit relieved on Tuesday following a look at the Kotla strip, on which the fourth Test will be played.
Assistant coach Adrian Birrell said it could "last more than three days".
"We have had a look at the pitch. We are playing in India and we expect pitches to turn. This one looks like to go on for more than three days. We are happy with what we saw. Like every other pitch, we are happy to play on what we are provided with. But we have not played good cricket yet, so we are determined to put up a good performance," Birrell, a former chief coach of the Ireland national team, said.
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Having already lost the four-Test series 0-2, the first and third matches getting over within three days, and the second game being washed out, South Africa will play for pride in Delhi in the fourth and last Test, commencing Thursday.
Birrell was graceful to admit his team was "outplayed".
"Look, it is beyond India. Quite a few Test matches are ending in three days. I mean the day/night pink ball Test (between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide) did not go full distance. There are very few draws with T20 cricket. Runs are coming a lot quicker. I won't say whether it is good or bad.
"Every nation wants to win a Test series. India have won a series and they have outplayed us. No complaints. We are looking forward to trying and outplaying them," said the former leg-spinner.
Asked what was the difference between the two sides, Birrell said it boiled down to India having better quality spinners, as batsmen of both the teams have struggled.
"Amla is most precise preparer for a match that I have ever met. We followed his cue as to what we will face in a match. We have struggled with bat; we have had only two half-centuries, but India lost their last eight batsmen for 38 runs in Nagpur. They have also struggled. The difference has been that they have had better spin bowlers. There hasn't been a 100 partnership. Both sides have been short of runs."
He also admitted that his batsmen haven’t played Ravichandran Ashwin well enough.
"He (Ashwin) has probably bowled tighter than anybody and hasn't given us any bad balls. We dished up a few easy runs for India and we had to fight when we batted, as he did not give us any easy runs. Also, he is on top of his game.
"He is an outstanding bowler. He has done very well in the three Tests so far. It is a challenge to try and get used to playing him. We have not done well, but we have to keep trying," said Birrell.
He, however, insisted there is no lack of motivation.
"We are looking forward to playing another Test match. Every single Test match is important for us. We are looking to play good cricket. We haven't played good cricket yet. Every single player is determined to put up a good performance in this (fourth) Test."
He also clarified that there were no complaints about the pitch.
"No complaints; we relish this opportunity," was his politically correct reply.
"The positive aspect for South Africa is the second innings partnership between Amla and Faf du Plessis. In the second innings (in Nagpur), there was good application from Hashim and Faf. They put up a good fight. I liked what Hashim told us during the match...'Win or lose, we will put up an honourable fight'."
Birrell hinted there could be a few changes in the line-up for the upcoming Test.
"I think every single player is available for selection. They are not here to make numbers. They are here to put names in their hats. I am not a selector. The selectors are busy chatting about right combination for the pitch. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some one or two other faces in the team come Thursday."
Stating that it is the mutual relationship between Amla, Faf and De Villiers that has led to the three-captain theory being so successful, Birrell said, "Three captains work very well together. Every single series, there is tremendous pressure on the leaders.
"May be, it would not have the case if they have not got on well. But, in this case, they get along very well; very refreshing everyone gets a break one format to the next. I think it is working very well."