BATSMAN v ALL-ROUNDER
SELECTION: PROTEAS HOPE TO FIND RIGHT ANSWER AGAINST BANGLADESH
Proteas captain Faf du Plessis said yesterday they are hoping to settle once and for all the debate over whether to play seven specialist batsmen or a second bowling all-rounder during the series against Bangladesh which starts with the first Test today.
The skipper confirmed that Wayne Parnell – although fit – will not be in the XI, leaving the choice for the No 7 spot between in-form batsman Theunis de Bruyn and promising all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, both of whom produced superb performances in last weekend’s round of Sunfoil Series matches.
“Our options are to have seven batsmen or play an all-rounder, which is the same challenge we’ve had during the last little while. We want to find out what our best combination is and we will possibly try both Theunis and Andile out during these two Tests. Hopefully then that will be decided for the rest of the season.
“Both Theunis, who comes off a big score for the Knights, and Andile, who did well with bat and ball for the Dolphins, are in good form, so we will try and give both a go. But it will mostly be the conditions that decide,” Du Plessis said.
The Proteas have consigned the disappointment of the England series to the past and are looking forward to the new era under incoming coach Ottis Gibson.
“We’ve drawn a line in the sand under the England tour now, we’ve played some really good cricket in the last year and one tough conditions tour does not change that. We’re starting fresh, it’s a new season and a new coach.
“Ottis is just going to observe for the time being and, as time goes on, he will make a few decisions,” said Du Plessis.
“We’ve just asked for the pitch to have some pace and bounce, that’s what we hope for.”
The focus will mostly be on the faltering South African batting though and Du Plessis said the batsmen have to lay the platform.
“Everyone is in good touch, but we’re not taking the Bangladeshis lightly. The absence of Shakib alHasan is a big loss for them and we want to take them out of their comfort zone, make sure we test them in conditions they’re not used to, whether that be through sideways movement or pace and bounce,” Du Plessis said.