Proteas backs to the wall
THE Proteas have shifted their focus to the all-important mustwin second Test match against Sri Lanka starting at the SSC Ground in Colombo this Friday.
The squad has had two days of introspection and reflection after the disappointing 278-run loss in the first Test in Galle, and will move on with more clarity on how to counter Sri Lanka’s spin threat.
Batting coach Dale Benkenstein says there is no panic in the camp, and only small tweaks to the mindset and game plans are needed for a turnaround. “It is a combination of both,” he said of mindset versus technique.
“Technically you have to have faced a spinning ball, there are few things technically that you have to adjust to. I would say 90% is about being tough mentally, being used to the ball spinning past the bat.
“We were weak on that side – when you have had a lot of Test cricket you are ready for the pressures, and we were a bit low on that.
“All the players take responsibility, as well as the coaches,” he said.
“I don’t think we are far off, in the little time that I have had with the national team, we have had some poor days because we are off. It is not a big gap, it may seem like it with the result, but if we put all the things right, we will be on the money in Colombo.”
Benkenstein, who toured Sri Lanka many times with the Proteas and South Africa “A” teams during his playing career, admits no amount of practice can prepare a batsman for the real test against spin out in the middle.
He hopes the players will learn from their experiences in the first match, especially those facing Rangana Herath‚ Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan for the first time in sub-continent conditions.
“These players have practised very hard,” he said.
“I don’t believe practices are going to make a huge amount of difference.
“Mentally there are a few things we have to put right, we have to remind ourselves that we are back in Test match SOUTH Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has left the tour of Sri Lanka for unspecified family reasons.
No decision has been made on a return date and no replacement has been named before the second Test in Colombo on Friday.
Shamsi, playing in his second Test, returned match figures of four for 128 in the first game in Galle, where Sri Lanka routed
mode, it is tough. We have two more days in Colombo to prepare for the next Test, it is not the end of the world.”
Hashim Amla says partnerships will be crucial before the second Test. The batsmen will have to look to play with more intent to counter Sri Lanka’s spin threat in the second Test.
All of the batsmen in the top six are capable of playing long attritional knocks, which is the South Africa by 278 runs inside three days.
The tourists have two other specialist spinners on the tour in left-armer Keshav Maharaj and uncapped leg-spinner Shaun von Berg.
South Africa also play five one-day internationals and a single Twenty20 match in Sri Lanka. Shamsi was included in the squads for both formats.
only way for a positive result.
The wristy right-hander believes the key to success against Sri Lanka’s spin wizards is a game plan of solid defence and positive scoring options.
He expects conditions to deteriorate as the match progresses but remains hopeful the batsmen will have learnt from the errors in the first innings.