Keshav Maharaj refuses to make excuses after loss to NZ in Auckland

South Africa lost the third T20 International in Auckland this morning by 8 wickets, and are now 2-1 down in the five-match series. 

The Proteas have taken a much changed team on tour with several regulars including captain Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Kagiso Rabada all returning home after the T20 World Cup in India for rest. 

Maharaj believes all the players in their set-up should be professional enough to adapt to unfamiliar conditions.

"We are very inexperienced and you can understand the inconsistencies, but it's not an excuse. We are all professional enough and we are representing our country, so we just have to look at ourselves and just find ways through it, put away our egos when it comes to playing on these wickets, but I wouldn't use the squad's inexperience as an excuse."

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Maharaj did admit there’s a lot of valuable international cricket lessons to be taken by the players, especially when playing against top opposition like New Zealand in their own backyard. 

According to the 36-year-old, it will even grow their game within the domestic structures when they come back home.

The hosts will also rest key players Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, and captain Mitchell Santner for the last two matches of the series, after going all the way to the final of the T20 World Cup. 

Maharaj recognises that this could be their way back into the series, but says they’re focusing more on their own team than the opposition.

The Proteas did bowl the Black Caps out for 91 runs in the first match on Sunday, and the off-spinner sees no reason why they can’t bowl with the same discipline as that day. 

He says the aim is to level matters in Wellington on Sunday, and take it down to the wire in Christchurch next Wednesday.

"If you look at the bowling unit they've been really good, maybe there's a couple areas where we can improve as a unit but there's still that belief.

"Each guy has to go back and find ways on how he is going to go about his business. The beauty about this is that we can dust ourselves off, get on a flight tomorrow, and hopefully come Sunday we will produce a more polished performance."