James Taylor column: England's Cape Town challenge and New Year's resolutions
Saturday 2 January 2016 07:11, UK
In his second exclusive column for Sky Sports, James Taylor reflects on a dream Durban win, the challenge of Cape Town and reveals Joe Root's New Year's resolution...
It was unbelievable to experience my first Test win as an England player and best of all was the way we set the tone for the series, with everyone contributing.
It's been that way since the start of the tour, with everybody either spending time at the crease or delivering what they need to with the ball.
Even though we're still elated about winning in Durban, we can't wait to get started again in Cape Town on Saturday especially as we know there are going to be thousands more English supporters there packing out Newlands.
Just as on Christmas Day, the boys had a sensible New Year's Eve ahead of afternoon training on New Year's Day, getting together for a meal and enjoying each other's company.
I don't do normally do New Year's resolutions but I'll try to be more decisive in 2016 while Rooty is aiming to learn 10 songs on the guitar…
The mood in the camp is really confident but our feet are firmly on the ground because it's a long series and we know there are plenty more challenges ahead.
During the post-Test celebrations it was great to see Mo pick up the man-of-the-match award, which he really deserved because he bowled outstandingly well.
You could say the pressure was on him on the final day as the pitch was turning so the way he rose to the occasion from the third ball of the day was superb.
We enjoyed a few drinks together as a team after the win before the wives, girlfriends and children joined us in the changing room, then it was time for a bit of a debrief.
We know we've still got somewhere to go as a team and that we can all improve as individuals too, but that can only be a good sign after winning a Test.
The batsmen all want to kick on and get bigger scores but it doesn't always work like that when you're facing such a good attack.
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You've got to do everything you can to put yourself in the best possible position to score big and make sure that if you do get out, it's to a good ball rather than a soft dismissal.
After losing the toss we were totally up against it on the first morning on a tricky pitch in conditions that couldn't have been more perfect for South Africa's bowlers.
Batting was extremely challenging, especially after losing a few early wickets early doors, so from an individual point of view it was good to do what I needed to do and come through it.
I tried to dig in and play my shots when I could. I really enjoyed batting with Nick Compton. We're very different players but we kept things simple and helped each other when we could, never looking too far ahead.
It was so frustrating to get out just before stumps on day one and then again, so disappointing to be stumped by half a pitch length in the second innings!
You've got to take the rough with the smooth, though, and realise that sometimes your attacking shots might lead to your downfall; so long as they are working for you a lot more than they're not, that's all right.
Against spin I try to take the attack to the bowler whenever I can and not let them settle. I try to be as busy and as positive as possible; it was good fun taking on the short ball too.
I'm really enjoying playing for England and being with the guys. The good news away from the pitch is that there's a table tennis table in our current hotel so at some point over the next week or so I'm going to try and take Broady down...
It's been an amazing year with so many great memories! Here's to a great 2016 for everyone!
Watch the second Test between South Africa and England live on Sky Sports 2 from 8am on Saturday and across Sky Sports digital platforms.
