Alviro Petersen's vigilant knock in final Test could earn him ticket for England

Wellington, March 24(ANI): South Africa's opening batsman Alviro Petersen played a patient knock of 96 not out from 244 deliveries against the Kiwis, on the first two truncated days of the final Test match in Wellington, and experts believe if he carries on to get a bigger score, then he could earn a ticket for the Test series in England later this year.

Petersen hasn't been spectacular to say the least in his last four Test innings in this series, which has raised few question marks over his capabilities to partner captain Graeme Smith while opening the innings for the Proteas.

But, it was due to his doggedness, if not necessarily standout technique or exuberant stroke-play, that the tourists, defending a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, were able to close at the Basin Reserve comfortably on the second day placed at 246 for two.

His enduring innings is been praised under the tough circumstances, as he was happy to let Hashim Amla dominate the proceedings in his own bright innings of 63 on the first day, and then joining with JP Duminy, who scored 76 not out, for an unbroken 140 runs partnership on the second day.

This innings, provided he goes on to get a bigger score, might just convince national selectors that he deserves his spot on the England tour, the next Test challenge for the Proteas, Sports24 reports.

The South Africans lost their last Test series in England 2-1 in the year 2008, and one of the major reason behind it was the lack of a solid opening partnership, with only their current coach Gary Kirsten performing, albeit quite inconsistently.

The main weak link, however, was his rookie partner Gerhardus Liebenberg, the Free Stater who registered only 59 runs in the series from six innings, and quickly disappeared back into the domestic first-class environment afterwards. (ANI)