Proteas seamer Marco Jansen reflects on Test journey after ICC award nomination

The lanky left-arm seamer has also shown his budding batting capabilities having hit a maiden half-century in the Proteas' crushing innings defeat against Australia in the second Test in Melbourne last week.

Speaking ahead of the third Test in Sydney starting on Wednesday, Jansen reflected on his Test journey, saying: "It didn't start great, my first over in Test cricket went for 14 [12].

"I haven't really thought about it yet or reflected but it's gone way better than expected. Couldn't have asked for a better start, I guess."

The tourists have had a tough tour Down Under having already lost the three-match series but Jansen is imploring his teammates to showa more fighting attitude in tough moments.

The Proteas lost the first Test in Brisbane by six wickets in a game that only lasted two days and then surrendered in four days at the MCG.

Jansen said: "I know everyone goes out there to give their best, but at the end of the day it's about trying to figure out what we can do as a team or individuals to really influence the game in a defining way.

"Whether it's taking five blows to the body while batting or bowling 7 or 8 overs on the trot, it's those things that matter. It's about recognising the moment and doing whatever you can within your power to influence or help the team. 

"You can say all these nice things about 150-plus partnerships or guys scoring double centuries, but it's not always a case where a team scores 500 runs and then win the game.

"Test cricket is sometimes like the first Test, where a partnership of 80 wins you the game. My focus is on identifying those type of moments and capitalising on them."