South Africa will be looking to add another 100-150 runs on Thursday to push for a possible win in the first cricket Test against India here, opening batsman Neil McKenzie said.
The right-hander, who provided a solid foundation to the Proteas with a sparkling 94, conceded that a lot of cricket was left in the match, but was happy that his team had made a good start as the wicket would deteriorate with time.
"Still a long way to go. We have no illusions. Once the wicket gets to wear down, it will be difficult to bat on. I think another 100 to 150 runs tomorrow will be a good total and anything above that will be a bonus," McKenzie, who added 132 for the opening wicket with captain Graeme Smith, said after South Africa ended day one on 304 for four.
"In Test cricket, it is good to get a huge first innings score."
He was also confident that the team still had quality batsmen to take the side to a big score.
"We have dependable batsmen in Mark Boucher and AB De Villiers. If one of them comes up with a good individual score, it should be enough to fight our way for a possible win."
McKenzie admitted it was tough batting against high class spinners like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, but said his previous experience of conditions in the sub-continent came to his assistance.
"It is always difficult to bat (in sub-continent). A lot more bounce was there than expected. It is quite nice a wicket, particularly this morning. Opening slot is the place one want to bat in the sub-continent," McKenzie said.
"I had toured the sub-continent (before). It is all down to experience," the opener said, adding he was disappointed on missing the century by just six runs.
He felt the visitors had a bowling attack capable of putting the Indians under pressure on the MA Chidambaram stadium pitch.
"Paul Harris is a quality spinner, maybe not to the standards of Kumble or Harbhajan. If the same level of bounce that was there this morning continued in the Indian innings, Nitini and Morkel can be penetrative and trouble Indian batsmen," he said.
The docile nature of the pitch rendered India's pace bowlers largely ineffective, McKenzie said.
"RP Singh bowled well in Australia but the Indian seamers did not get assistance from the wicket here today, though they played well as a unit," he added.
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