Arthur bewildered over Proteas hara-kiri in opening Tests of series

Cape Town, Mar.25 (ANI): The poor performance of the South African cricket team in the opening match of a series has left coach Mickey Arthur frustrated.

Arthur said he failed to understand why his team always struggles to put on a credible show in the first Test of a series.

"I am frustrated with the situation. That is why we got together five days before the first Test rather than the usual three days," the Die Burger newspaper quoted Arthur, as saying.

The 2-1 series defeat at home against the Aussies has obviously convinced Arthur to rethink his strategies, he genuinely believed his team could whitewash the Kangaroos at home especially after their spirited performance Down-Under.

Arthur now plans to organize training games ahead of home Test assignments.

"A two-day game will be ideal. The batsmen can bat for a day and the bowlers bowl on the other. It's one thing, training, but you can't underestimate the effect of game time," he said.

The South African team has history of falling apart in the first encounter of home series, and it all started in 2006 when India handed out a shocking defeat to them at the Wanderers.

Similarly, a year later West Indies won the first test in Port Elizabeth.

Even in the game which saw them chasing a record 414 runs against the Aussies last year, the South Africans looked completely out of touch during the first three days of the game. (ANI)