Robin Peterson’s man of the match performance in the Proteas’ win over Pakistan at Sahara Park Newlands has proven his worth as the team’s frontline spinner.
Peterson’s role has been overshadowed by the dominating pace attack that has thrived on seam friendly playing conditions, but this weekend’s performance was a further statement of the depth he brings to the squad.
Peterson has played five Tests since making a comeback into the Proteas’ fold after a four year absence. He scored a match-changing 84 runs in the first innings, coupled with five wickets for 167 for his match return.
“It’s nice to get the man of the match award. But I think it’s more important that we won a Test match when we were under pressure.
“That is more of a feather in the cap, it was a good team effort, even though I’m standing up collecting the award. There were some magnificent performances by a lot of the guys; I’m probably just the lucky one to end up with it.”
The left-arm spinner came back after a disappointing first innings performance to strike with the key wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq in Pakistan’s second innings, after the skipper looked set to help the visitors post a challenging victory target for South Africa.
“I thought I wasn’t at my best in the first innings. I’m gradually getting there, there are still a few things I’m not entirely happy with but it’s a work in progress.
“You have to deal with what you have and use it to the best. I was just happy to contribute with important wickets in this game.
It’s not always the five-fors that can set up the game, it’s sometimes those one or two wickets that a spinner gets that can open the game up for the team.”
