A confident mindset and an established, solid batting order, which needs to know their exact role, will be key to ensuring the Proteas secure a home Test series win over England for the first time since 2000, writes Alasdair Fraser.

It was intriguing to follow New Zealand’s convincing demolition of the Poms. Several grafters within the Black Caps’ lineup stood up to be counted and showed that this England side might not be the most formidable outfit to tour our shores.

Yes, they are missing a few key performers but the bulk of this side that took a battering against the Black Caps will be touring the Republic.

Let’s not forget, though, that whenever an ICC trophy is up for grabs, New Zealand pulls a team together and are competitive. For how long, remains to be seen.

This ICC Championship has already shown that Test teams are taking things a lot more seriously. India, of course, are way in front. Yet, they must still win away from home – something they aren’t historically renowned for.

It’s an interesting dynamic this Test Championship. Should India remain in front, we’ll have several teams jostling for second place. And, effectively all you need to do is make a strong challenge for second, to secure a seat at the top table – namely the final at Lord’s. Not a happy hunting ground for India (Played 17, Won 2, Lost 11, Drawn 4).

The Proteas are easily one of the several teams challenging for second.

There is no doubt we possess enough talent and guile to be genuine contenders. How fitting would it be to claim the Test Championship with a win over India at Lord’s after the calamitous showing last month?

Enoch Nkwe has had the worst, and unenviable challenge, of picking up the pieces from what transpired at the World Cup by taking a wounded Proteas squad to India. Bar the decent fight that his charges put up in the first Test, it was a bloodbath.

It was a similar affair four years ago and what we saw from the Proteas once England arrived was a batting lineup devoid of any purpose and missing a key opener.

It was too late once Stephan Cook marked his debut with a Test century – a feat many South Africans love to do (five South Africans post-isolation).

Aiden Markram is expected to return after a self-inflicted injury, but if not, the Proteas are in a similar position, yet the likes of Reeza Hendricks or even Temba Bavuma could be a welcome stop-gap while Markram recovers.

This creates an opportunity that could see a potential debut for Rassie van der Dussen.

The Proteas need to make the most of this delicate situation in conditions that we are comfortable in and ensure that batsmen No 3, 4, 5 and six have a decent enough platform to post a total that any fast bowler will be licking their lips to defend.

There is enough bowling depth in the Proteas’ arsenal to give England a fair number of headaches and it’s encouraging that SuperSport Park will be the venue for the first Test. The momentum of a Test win after five consecutive defeats is the right tonic for this ship to emerge from what’s been a minefield of disappointment.

Kagiso Rabada is still too young to “captain” our attack and that’s a slight worry for now, but at least Vernon Philander is there as the most senior of statesmen.

Though we have depth, should Big Vern pull a hamstring or get a niggle, there will be undue pressure placed upon Rabada’s overworked shoulders.

Kyle Abbott would have been the perfect candidate to lead our attack but Kolpak has put paid to that theory. A crying shame.

There is no doubt that our national side can come back fighting stronger than ever. A potent established top six will need to keep their wits about them and believe in their batting game.

It’s an individual sport played within a team dynamic. Our batsmen need to remain positive and run with that form.

The likes of Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock have the pedigree to inspire others around them to get a few decent runs on the board. But not just “get” but graft hard to earn those runs.

We’ve seen similar signs from Bavuma and Hendricks in the MSL, and given the fact that England will play a SA Invitational side on the 17 December and a SA ‘A’ side a few days later, it would be advantageous to use those fixtures to get those Test – and fringe – players a chance to graft away and get some much-needed positivity in the middle.

My Boxing Day Proteas XI vs England: 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram/Reeza Hendricks/Temba Bavuma, 3 Zubayr Hamza, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Faf du Plessis, 6 Quinton de Kock, 7 Vernon Philander, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Anrich Nortje.

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