Centurion pitch was a batting paradise, but not for us

The cricket wicket we have just played this third One-Day International on at Centurion would have to rate up there as one of the best I have ever played on.

After Benoni, where batsmen struggled, this was batters' paradise! Good even bounce, no movement and a fast outfield.

When Flem (Stephen Fleming) won the toss, some people questioned why not take first use of a great wicket?

But when we have had good recent success chasing, why change a winning formula?

Once again Nicky Boje proved to be the thorn in our backside. This is the first time I have played against him and after scoring two hundreds and one fifty, in three innings you have to be impressed.

He is unorthodox and can be quite frustrating to bowl at. But he has his own style and currently it is very effective.

Boje, along with Gary Kirsten, put on another 100 partnership, as they did in Benoni. Kirsten was unlucky not to get a hundred as he misjudged a late cut to get an edge and gave me a wicket I was thankful for at that stage.

With such a great platform to launch their last 10-15 overs from, the South Africans took full advantage and posted a mammoth 320.

These days totals like that are still within the realms of possibility if you can get a good start.

After about seven overs were handily placed after losing Chris Nevin early and Flem striking the ball beautifully. Then a massive wind got up and lightning started, surrounding the ground until the heavens broke and down came a massive rain shower.

With the Duckworth/Lewis system coming into play, our already mammoth task was given Mt Everest proportions by extending our target run rate out beyond seven and a half an over for the next 35 overs.

The guys did their best, but against an attack like SA this was a difficult ask and despite valiant efforts from Roger Twose and Nathan Astle we fell short and came away from the game trailing 2-0 in the best of five now.

Kimberley is up next and to stay alive in the series it is a must win and that is enough motivation in itself.