CA XI skipper in awe of Proteas pacemen

 Sydney - The Cricket Australia XI that faced South Africa in a warm-up match were completely outplayed, and it had nothing to do with the pink ball, says Matthew Short.

Short, who was captaining the CA XI, was a rare bright spot with his half ton as the Proteas dominated with bat and ball in Adelaide under lights.

It was the Proteas first day-night pink ball match, but their experience shone through, especially as Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, and Kyle Abbott used the ball to perfection.

Short said after the two-day draw, in which his side was bowled out for 103: "As a group, we always knew what we were coming up against.

"Some of the best bowlers in the world, and the challenge for us was the pink ball because none of us have faced that.

"Especially with these kind of bowlers. As the sun went down it was definitely harder to bat.

"But I think just the quality of their bowlers made it difficult for us, I don't think the ball or the conditions or the light affected us.

"It was just the skills set of their bowlers."

The Proteas also had success with the bat, with Quinton de Kock retiring after scoring a quick ton, and Short felt the visitors showed the most skill.

He added: "We definitely started well with the ball both innings, got it swinging and nipping a bit both innings but I think we fell off a bit after about 20 overs.

"We didn't quite have the skills set to keep the ball up and the seam up, and try and nip it around to nick them off.

"So that just shows the quality of their bowlers. They were able to keep the seam up and swing it for a bit longer than us."