Proteas opener Tony de Zorzi believes a maiden Test hundred is not far off after coming close to reaching the landmark against the West Indies in Trinidad.
The left-hander struck 78 in the first innings of the rain-affected draw in Trinidad, his second fifty in the longest format after scoring 85 against the same opponents at the Wanderers in March last year.
The tourists have now switched their focus to the second and final Test of the series in Guyana that starts on Thursday and De Zorzi is hungry to kick on.
The 26-year-old said: “I think ultimately, it was a good performance for the team, and I think I should have probably kicked on from the 70, but I’m still just happy I was able to contribute.”
When asked if he was frustrated at not reaching the three-figure mark in his fifth Test, he said: “It’ll come when it’s supposed to. I’m obviously doing the work that’s intended for me to get it, and I’m pretty comfortable with my game.
“Hopefully, next time it just doesn’t hit my glove (when he was caught at slip-off spinner Jomel Warrican), I’ll get over the line.”
The Western Province batter looked to be in an aggressive mood at the top of the order in the first Test, reaching his half-century off 78 balls while he also struck 45 in 60 deliveries in the second innings as the Proteas looked to force a result.
While the pitch in Trinidad was slower compared to back home, De Zorzi insists he will trust himself to adjust to any conditions and help the team.
“My mindset is that I’m here now, so I’ve got to just trust myself and back what I’ve done to get here,” he said.
“I don’t think I have to try to reinvent the wheel in my game plan.
It’s just about being able to make small little adjustments according to the wicket. So being comfortable enough to make a small change – not a massive one – and then just trusting it.”
