We need to win key moments to make it to the top, says SA coach van Zyl

Updated on: 02 March,2010 09:02 AM IST |
Correspondent |

Corrie van Zyl has warned his South Africa side it needs to start winning 'big moments' if it wants to rise to the summit of world cricket.

Corrie van Zyl has warned his South Africa side it needs to start winning 'big moments' if it wants to rise to the summit of world cricket.

The Proteas returned to the country yesterday after a disappointing tour to India in which they promised so much, yet failed to win either the Test or one-day international series.

Graeme Smith's men, who won the first of the two five-day games in Nagpur, crumbled under pressure in the second at Kolkata before slumping to a heavy loss.

The series ended 1-1 and what followed was even more disappointment in the three ODI matchesu00a0-- the tourists eventually lost 2-1.

"It is a concern we could play so well to win the first Test in Nagpur, and then we let ourselves down badly in Kolkata," Van Zyl, who took charge of the team at the last minute following the sudden resignation of Mickey Arthur in January, said.

"In one session, we gave the advantage away. Consistency is the key if we want to get to number one and stay there. We also need to win the big moments, and that means staying calm in pressure situations.