Muthusamy’s Debut Ton Propels Proteas To Big Score

Senuran Muthusamy produced an innings of sublime patience, grit, and quality to bring about his maiden Test hundred, which proved to be the catalyst for a lower-order revival that saw the World Test Champions reach a score of 489 in the first innings of the second Test in Guwahati. 

Scoring a Test century is a landmark for any cricketer – but for Muthusamy, reaching three figures on Indian soil carried an added layer of meaning. 

What the moment represented, especially given his Indian heritage, was described as “fantastic,” noting how far he has come since South Africa’s difficult tour of India in 2019.

“Coming here in 2019, where we lost the series badly, was tough,” he reflected. 

“I’ve worked my way back into the national team setup, and to put in a performance like that in the first innings is an awesome experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Muthusamy started the day on 25 and, alongside Kyle Verreynne, wore down the Indian bowlers with tremendous resilience in what Muthusamy referred to as “attritional cricket.”

The two added 88 runs for the seventh wicket, and the Durban-born player affectionately known as ‘Sen’ had this to say on his effort with Verreynne, “With Kyle it was against the new ball in the morning – they tested us but Kyle batted really well and helped set up our innings.”

With the score on 334, Muthusamy was joined at the wicket by Marco Jansen, who batted with a speed and a force that complemented Sen’s more sedate approach. The two added a further 97 runs to the scorecard, taking the initiative from the hosts and placing it right back in the favour of the Proteas. 

“When Marco came in, he was sublime. He is a clean striker of the ball and showed his skills today. It was an awesome treat to watch and helped us extend our first innings,” said Muthusamy in his glowing appraisal of Jansen. 

Showing amazing technique for the conditions and an ability to play the ball late whilst batting with zen-like patience, described by Ravi Shastri as meditative, Muthusamy placed emphasis on the team. 

“I was just trying to do a job for the team, form batting partnerships, and try to accumulate runs. First innings runs in the subcontinent are vital. It was just a lot of relief getting to a hundred in front of a fantastic crowd, which gave me a fantastic feeling.”

With many of the views that Muthusamy is an extra bowling option for South Africa, he has no qualms about seeing himself as an all-rounder.

“I see myself as an all-rounder, so I try to contribute where I can. I try to add as much value as I can.”

With Shukri Conrad showing an appetite for all-rounders and Muthusamy displaying his ability with the bat over and above his ability with the ball, it’s useful to note that this was his tenth first-class century. 

Lending further credence to this argument were his exploits in the previous series against Pakistan – an impressive 11 wickets in the first Test in Lahore, as well as his score of 89 not-out in the second Test in Rawalpindi that proved the catalyst for South Africa’s victory.

With the wicket expected to change and deteriorate from day three, Muthusamy seemed cautious in his assessment of conditions going forward, “Let’s see how conditions change and how the game unfolds over the next day or two. I think that will give us more clarity.”

He also appeared to put some stock in the ability and experience of his teammates.  

“We will adjust accordingly to the conditions presented to us. Simon, Keshav, and I have vast experience – Simon has over 1000 first-class wickets, Keshav has over 200 international wickets, so it will be interesting to see how things unfold.”

Once unsure if he would ever play Test cricket again after the 2019 tour, and with Indian heritage that reaches back to Tamil Nadu, Senuran Muthusamy is now reaping the rewards of perseverance. Coming through South Africa’s cricketing pipeline, he has proved through recent performances that he is here to stay.