We need to score hundreds up top: Petersen reveals after Manchester drubbing

South Africa were absolutely battered in three days against England at the Old Trafford in Manchester. While they won the toss and opted to bat first, it was a move that dearly backfired, with Kagiso Rabada top-scoring for the Proteas with a 36. 

Whilst the other South African batters did get a start, the lack of conversion from the batters ultimately resulted in the Proteas getting to just 151. England eventually won the encounter by an innings and 85 runs, showing the visitors where they lacked – with the bat. 

In the lead-up to the third encounter, the Proteas’ batter, Keegan Petersen regretted the lack of putting up a big score with the bat. He also insisted that the lower order bailed them out, which is a big concern for the visitors.     

"It hurt the team to get beaten like that after having beaten them in the same way in the first Test," Keegan Petersen told a press conference on Tuesday. 

"It's obvious - we need to score hundreds up top," Petersen said. "That hasn't happened for a while now. The lower order have saved us a few times. It's evident that the batters have to step up now and get a couple of big scores."

Petersen also denied that the Proteas lacked to get starts with the bat. However, at the same time, he insisted that it is all mental and the visitors have to pull their sock-up with the bat, if they have to win the series. 

"It's all mental. I don't think we've struggled to get in. It's getting starts and getting out, that's the problem." 

England in reply, scored 415, on the back of scintillating hundreds from Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes. Petersen identified that that the game was lost in the first innings while suggesting that the conditions in the first innings did favour the bowling side. 

"In both Test matches it was lost in the first innings. It is evident that the conditions are leaning towards the bowlers to help give them that advantage. But if you can play the first innings better, that's going to be the team who come out on top."

The third Test between the two sides – England and South Africa – will be on September 8, where the visitors have a rare opportunity of sealing a series win away from home. That will also strengthen their place for the final of the World Test Championship final.