South Africa head into the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead with several selection decisions still to make, but batting coach Ashwell Prince believes the depth and versatility within the Proteas squad gives them the ability to adapt to whatever conditions Durban presents.
The Proteas have completed a two-day intra-squad warm-up as preparations intensify ahead of the opening Test, with Prince pleased with what South Africa were able to get out of the exercise.
“Yeah, we did. I think from a batting perspective, you just want all the guys to get some time in the middle.
“I think the intensity of the exercise was pretty good. Obviously, we got some serious fast bowlers to help us prepare for the Test match. So, in terms of intensity, the surface we played on was pretty good.”
Rabada ‘looking good’ but decision could go late
One of the biggest questions ahead of the first Test surrounds Kagiso Rabada.
The fast bowler has been working his way back from injury, but Prince provided an encouraging update after Rabada came through the warm-up match.
“Yeah, he came through quite nicely, bowled really well and will continue to be involved, obviously, in training over the next few days leading up to the match.
“Fair to say that he’s obviously not going to be at 100% straight away, but he’s looking good.
“And he will train with the squad for the rest of the week. And I think we will leave a call to be made as late as possible.”
South Africa will also keep the extended squad together, particularly to allow the bowlers to continue building their red-ball workloads.
“I think, particularly from a bowler’s point of view, obviously, domestically, there’s T20 cricket going on at the moment. So, you know, we feel that they’ll be better served here, bowl more, bowl more with red balls in training.
“And if they’re not in the lineup, to continue bowling, you know, during the Test match in the nets, just to get the loads up.”
Proteas make the adjustment back to Test cricket
A number of South Africa’s players have recently been involved in white-ball cricket, leaving a relatively short period to make the transition back to the longest format.
Prince believes making major technical changes at this stage would be difficult, with the focus instead on smaller adjustments.
“I think it’s very difficult to do that right now.
“If anything creeps in, it’s hardly ever major things. It might be things like balance, those type of things, which is generally quite easy to spot from the coach’s point of view.
“And timing sort of, obviously, in Test match cricket, you want to hit the ball a lot later, contact points closer to you, under your eye, as opposed to being at the bowlers in the white ball cricket.”
The Proteas have also spent time reflecting on the cricket that brought them success over the previous 12 to 18 months.
“I think it was just important to reflect on the last 12 to 18 months and the Test cricket that we’ve played. Obviously, we haven’t played Test matches for a while.
“So it was important to reflect on, you know, what we did over the last 12 to 18 months, things that helped us to be successful, just to remind the players about those.
“You know, they played some really good cricket. Both batting and bowling.
“So just to remind ourselves, what are the things we did really well, and that we want to continue doing.”
Ackerman has ‘banged the door down’
Marques Ackerman is one of the most intriguing selection options ahead of the first Test.
The uncapped batter has forced his way into the squad through his performances, and Prince revealed he has been a long-time admirer.
“As far as Marques is concerned, I’ve always liked Marques. Years ago, I assigned Marques to one of the T20 domestic teams before the SA20.
“And so I’ve always been a fan of his. And obviously, to his credit, he’s done what any player who wants to play Test cricket needs to do. He’s banged the door down, weight of runs.
“He’s an attacking player. He likes to move the game along. You know, we have encouraged that in our spaces over the last while, also in Test cricket.
“So Marques, you know, ticks a lot of boxes. He’s an exciting player. And he’s a short left-hander, so it’s all good.”
Ackerman is also in the conversation for the No.3 position, alongside David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs.
When Prince was asked specifically about Bedingham and Stubbs as the contenders for the position, he quickly added another name.
“Yeah, I think you missed Marques’ name there as well.
“He’s obviously played really well in that position as well and can bat in that position. But the names that you mentioned, all are options, we have a very good idea of who’s going to slot in there.
“But again, obviously, unfortunately, you guys will have to wait and see.”
Prince also believes the renewed interest in playing Test cricket following South Africa’s recent success is encouraging.
“There’s an appetite, not just for him, for a lot of players within our domestic structures. There’s an appetite to want to be involved in the Test Match squad again, in the Test Match arena again.
“Obviously, T20 and the perks that it brings and the financial rewards that brings, everybody wants to be a part of that as well and that’s fair enough, but with the Test Championship success and continuing on a good run since then, there’s a great appetite for players like Marques and other players to want to be involved in the Test squad and obviously that’s encouraging for us as the coaching staff.”
Facing Australia can establish belief
South Africa’s batters face a significant examination against an experienced Australian bowling attack.
Prince believes there needs to be a balance between understanding the opposition and concentrating on the Proteas’ own strengths.
“There’s definitely a balance. I mean, in the game today, analysis on the opposition is massive.
“So there’s lots of data points. There’s lots of video footage. You know, all of that is prepared and handed to the players.”
But there is only so much preparation that can be done before the contest ultimately becomes player against player.
“You’re coming up against a good team, but equally so are we.
“And ultimately, it comes down to a battle between the 22 yards, you know, trying to get ahead of the game, apply the pressure and play the big moments well.”
Prince knows what it is like to face Australia early in a Test career.
For him, it proved valuable.
“Coming up against Australia, I think for me it was probably one of the best things ever for my Test career.
“I think going up against one of the best attacks in the world, if you can do something against them, it kind of settles your mind fairly early in the piece, in terms of your Test career, whether you’re able to cut it at that level.
“Having said that, that’s predominantly in South Africa, that’s a challenge versus fast bowling, high-quality fast bowling on surfaces that do assist fast bowlers.
“There are other challenges in Test match cricket, going to the sub-continent and playing against spin bowling, but in terms of going up against a quality attack, if you can get a score as a young player or as a new player, it does a lot to settle your belief.
“Self-confidence about being able to play at that level.”
Two spinners remain an option at Kingsmead
Another major selection question surrounds South Africa’s bowling combination.
Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer are both available, and Prince did not rule out the possibility of the Proteas selecting two frontline spinners.
“What we’re blessed with is whether we, whatever combination of bowlers we’re going to go with, we can take 20 wickets.
“So whether it is seam heavy or whether it is two spinners, you know, they are wicket takers and they can take 20 wickets.
“Obviously, Keshav Maharaj did really well in the one-day series, man of the series.
“Simon Harmer wasn’t part of that, but Harmer has had great success in the last period of time in Test Match Cricket. And so have our seam bowlers.”
Prince believes that gives South Africa the ability to make their final decision according to what they see from the Kingsmead surface.
“If we feel the surface is going to be X, we might be able to go with one plan.
“If we feel the surface is going to be Y, we might be able to go with another plan.
“And I think that’s a blessing that we have, that we have options.”
The presence of all-rounders Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder also gives the Proteas considerable flexibility.
“With the calibre of all-rounders that we have, I think it’s more than likely that there will be five bowling options on the field.
“Because you have people like Marco Jansen, who is obviously good enough to use a new ball in a Test match, but he’s also good enough to bat at No.7 or No.8.
“And then you have Corbin Bosch and then you have Wiaan Mulder. So, there’s quite a few all-rounders in the squad.
“So, that creates more possibility of having five bowling options.”
‘Test cricket is hard against Australia’
While Australia may be introducing younger players into their batting lineup, Prince warned against underestimating what comes with playing an Australian Test side.
“Test cricket is hard against Australia. It is always hard, whether it’s away, whether it’s home, you know, we expect a hard series.
“Whether they are in transition.
“Obviously, in the bowling department, they are not in transition. In the batting department, they are, you know, using a few younger players.
“But, you know, Australian cricket is more than just the 11 that’s going to go on the field.
“I mean, there’s a mentality to it. You know, there’s an approach to how they play the game. They want to be on the front foot, you know, the aggressive style of play.
“So all of that is part of the equation. You know, we are obviously aware of what they bring and the quality that they have. And equally, we got to prepare for that.”
Prince backs Verreynne
Prince also offered strong support for wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne amid questions around his place in the side.
“I’m still a big believer in Kyle. I think he’s one of, if not the best gloveman in the country.
“I have never been someone who, you know, a lot of criticism about Kyle has been about his technique.
“Sometimes, you know, some players are easier on the eye. Others are not. But when players are not easy on the eye, but they are successful, you got to ask what makes them successful.
“And with Kyle, it’s his character.
“And so I still believe there’s a lot left in the tank there. And I won’t be surprised if he does something pretty special in the series.”
Friendship disappears when the Test is in the balance
Modern franchise cricket means South African and Australian players increasingly share dressing rooms and develop friendships away from international cricket.
Prince, however, doesn’t expect those relationships to matter when the first Test becomes competitive.
“These days, you know, players share dressing rooms because of the nature of cricket around the world these days. They’re all big buddies.
“I don’t know if that plays at all in how much spice there is in a fixture.
“But at the end of the day, I can promise you that when it comes to a Test match sort of hovering and being in the balance, you know, that T20 dressing room vibe where everybody love each other.
“And there you go out the window pretty quickly, because this is about winning a Test match for your country.
“And when it’s time to step up, I mean, you know, our boys will be ready to step up. And I’m sure they will be as well.”
The Proteas enter the opening Test with decisions still to make around their batting order, Rabada’s fitness and the balance of their bowling attack.
But Prince believes South Africa have something valuable heading into a major series against Australia: options.
And once the Test begins, the focus will shift from combinations and analysis to what happens between the 22 yards.
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