Proteas chase clean sweep
PROTEAS opening batsman Stephen Cook is expecting the Wanderers to serve up the usual pace and bounce during the third and final test against Sri Lanka‚ which starts in Johannesburg today.
Cook said the wicket at the Bullring might be slow in the beginning of the match but would start to quicken up from day two.
“The weather has not been brilliant over the last [few] days and the pitch is probably a little bit behind in terms of hardness,” he said.
“Generally, this season there have been cracks on the wicket‚ especially when it has been dry, and maybe the moisture will keep it together.
“But there ought to be the usual pace and bounce.
“It may be slow to start, but from day two and three it will start to quicken up.”
Given the nature of the pacy conditions at the Wanderers‚ which has been his home for 17 years‚ Cook said spin had been ineffective in the past.
“Spin has been fairly ineffective in terms of taking wickets at the Wanderers, but it has been used effectively to contain.
“I think someone like Keshav Maharaj‚ who has shown the ability to contain‚ could do the job and allow the quicks to come hard on the other end.
“There have been times when the Lions have gone for an all-out seam attack but it can be a risky strategy.”
The opener, 34, described the opportunity of playing in front of his home crowd as a dream come true‚ despite the possibility of the occasion’s being overshadowed by Hashim Amla’s 100th test appearance.
“It is a proper dream come true because this is my home.
“I grew up on the banks here and it is well documented that I have spent my whole career here.
“To be able to play a test match for South Africa here is fantastic.
“There is no extra pressure‚ only natural pressure with its being a test match.
“There has been many a day that I have sat here playing in front of empty stands, thinking it would be a great place to play in front of a packed house.
“Hopefully, the guys will come out and support this test match and that part of the dream can be fulfilled.”
Cook said they were targeting a clean sweep to round off what has been a good series against the Sri Lankans.
“We have just come from a team meeting where we have spoken about the importance of being 2-0 up and finishing the job.
“We spoke about it in Australia but didn’t do the business after having done the whitewash in the ODIs.
“It’s first and foremost on the guys’ minds. We know the conditions have suited us and have been playing some good cricket, and when opportunities present themselves to dominate like this, that’s what we are looking to do‚” he said.
It is a proper dream come true because this is my home