Proteas batsman Matthew Breetzke says he is “hungry” for big scores in the longest format, despite poor returns in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

The 26-year-old right-hander, who has been earmarked as the next batsman in line by Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad, made scores of 13 and one in the opening Test of the two-match series.

South Africa went on to win by 329 runs, but Breetzke was left wanting more.

“Being here in Zimbabwe, I’m pretty hungry to put in some big performances and get some big scores and a match-winning knock,” Breetzke told SportsBoom.co.za. “That’s what I’m after, and I’m hungry to do that. So mainly I’m really looking to score some big runs.”

Breetzke had played just one Test before this series – a duck on debut in Bangladesh – and was given another chance in Bulawayo. But opening the batting for the first time in red-ball cricket in a while may have contributed to his struggles. He partnered Tony de Zorzi at the top of the order, a role he admitted he hadn’t filled in some time.

The Test series follows a demanding stretch of white-ball cricket for Breetzke, who has been on the road for four months. He featured for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL from March to May before moving to the UK to play county cricket for Northamptonshire.

“It’s been a busy couple of months. I haven’t been at home for the last four months. I’ve been on the road, which has been tough,” he said. “It’s not always easy transitioning. I haven’t played red-ball cricket in a while, so I think it will just come down to my basics and the three days leading up to the game, just getting back into the basics of being nice and still and playing straight for long periods of time.

“At the end of the day, I’ve been doing this for the last 10 years, so it shouldn’t be too hard. I think mentally it’s more just being OK with not scoring for long periods of time and taking my time.”

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Breetzke also noted a shift in the energy of the squad since their triumph in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s last month.

“There’s a certain confidence that the guys are walking around with, which is great to see,” he said. “I think Shukri did mention that we should be walking around like we’re the best side in the world. And it’s exciting to be a part of the team that is going forward straight after winning that championship.

“Shukri has mentioned that it’s just the start and there’s lots more to come. So, hopefully we can put in some big performances and be a part of the side going forward.”

The second and final Test gets underway in Bulawayo on Saturday.