27 November 2008

Batting in a crisis was a thrill, Ashwell Prince said on Thursday after his century lifted South Africa out of a tricky position in the second test against Bangladesh.

Prince ended the day on 115 not out as he and Mark Boucher, unbeaten on 102, put on a South African test record, undefeated stand of 223 for the sixth wicket.

The hosts had earlier slumped to 134 for five in reply to Bangladesh's first innings of 250.

"It means a lot to me to get the team out of those sorts of situations. That gets the best out of me," Prince said.

"I've played in a few matches against Bangladesh when I've come in with 500 on the board and that sort of situation just doesn't stimulate me," he told a news conference.

Prince also paid credit to Boucher.

"It obviously helped having a partner like Mark because he is very experienced and always up for a fight," Prince said.

"It was a tough situation, but Mark came in and stepped up the intensity. He scored some early boundaries and got going quickly."

© Reuters 2008

Bangladesh In South Africa 2008/9