Pointing out the reason behind South Africa’s dismal showing in the ongoing first Test against India in Centurion, Temba Bavuma on Tuesday (December 28) said that the lack of red-ball cricket this year is hurting the home team.

The hosts got bowled out for 197 in their first innings of the Boxing Day Test, conceding a massive lead of 130 runs. Bavuma was the top scorer with 52.

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The Proteas had played five Tests before this one in 2021, and none since June when they won away in the West Indies.

On the other hand, this is India's 15th Test this year and the visitors came into the series on the back of a 2-0 series win over New Zealand at home.

"I don't want to be accused of making excuses for our play, but that does have an impact," Bavuma said after the third day’s play. "If you look at the way we played on the first day. I don't believe that is the standard and the intensity that we can play at. And one of the factors is the lack of match practice. You can have as many nets as you want, but nothing simulates going out in the middle.

"There is not much we can do as players, but there is that disparity in the number of games. We have to find a way mentally to meet the challenge."

The tourists were 16/1 at the close of play on Day 3, extending their second innings lead to 146 runs.

South Africa will hope to limit India to a manageable target, or at least take time out of the game with some rain predicted on Day 5. Either way, they will have to find a way to combat the Indian pacers, especially Mohammad Shami, who claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

"He is a world-class bowler, so I don't think it is something we did not expect," Bavuma said. "As batters we have to front up and back our defence as much as we can. But if he bowls a good ball, kudos to him."

(With PTI inputs)