Proteas quickie Coetzee learns from pesky last-wicket stand: 'Luckily we still have a good lead'

At the Wanderers

Much might've gone right over the past week or so for Gerald Coetzee after his introduction to Test cricket, but the rookie quick also had to contend with the "pain' of the classic pesky last-wicket stand.

RECAP | SA v West Indies, Day 2

Indeed, a 58-run alliance between a classy Jason Holder (81*) and the eminently competent Gudakesh Motie meant that the Proteas, who were eyeing a substantial lead in the second Test against the West Indies here, would only walk out to bat a second time with an advantage of 69.

Yet while senior players like the spin twins of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer were grappling - along with skipper Temba Bavuma - how to dislodge the pair, the 22-year-old Coetzee was absorbing all the lessons ... and even kept a lid on things.

"Yes, it was very valuable experience," said the genial, articulate quick, who was South Africa's most successful bowler on the day with career-best figures of 3/41. 

"It's definitely not the last time it will happen. Jason batted very well, credit to him."

Coetzee though isn't totally in denial about the sense of disappointment that hung over the attack once they eventually did dismiss the Windies.

READ |  Holder rearguard keeps Windies in contest as Proteas struggle to wrap up tail

"That last partnership, if you ask any cricketer, if it goes past 50, its tough to deal with it," he said.

"Luckily we still have a good lead, 70 runs is great. It's better than conceding a lead. It was tough, but it was a good experience. In general, in such a situation, you want to try and get the main batter off strike and bowl as many as possible to the tailender. He held his ground well and Jason took the game forward. "

There was confusion over Bavuma's reluctance to employ