Proteas geared up to strike

SA will take advantage of home conditions against Bangladesh

THE touring Bangladeshis can expect some good old-fashioned chin music from South Africa’s seam attack when the teams clash in the first test starting at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom today.

Speaking at his pre-match test news conference at the stadium yesterday, captain Faf du Plessis did not hide the fact that they are going to take full advantage of their home conditions.

“We have asked for a wicket that has some pace and bounce in it, so I am hoping that happens,” he said.

“When you go to the sub-continent, you get pitches that spin a lot and you have to make sure that you take them out of their comfort zone when they come here.

“Whether that means leaving grass on the pitch or using sideways movement trying to get some pace and bounce, you have to make sure that you use your own conditions well and, hopefully, we will see that in this test match,” he said with a smile.

The Proteas think-tank must balance the side for the conditions, and it appears all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo is likely to join opener Aiden Markram as the other debutant today.

“If it’s going to be a flat wicket, we will probably need the extra batting option.

“It looks like it is going to be a good wicket and possibly we will have an extra bowling option,” he said.

Du Plessis said the other allrounder in the team, Wayne Parnell, had recovered from injury but would not take part in the first test, which leaves Phehlukwayo likely to make his debut.

He was part of the Proteas side in England earlier this year.

“Wayne did pass his fitness test but he is probably not going to play because of the other options that we have within the squad,” the SA captain said.

“We have the option of choosing between seven batsmen and our allrounder.

“With the new season, we will still try to make sure that we can find out what our best combination is.

“We have not finalised the starting lineup.

“I have a selection meeting after this press conference, and Theunis de Bruyn and Andile look in good form.

“Theunis comes on the back of a good score for the Knights last week and Andile brings that batting and

You have to make sure that you use your own conditions well and, hopefully, we will see that in this test match

bowling aspect to the team.

“We will try and see if we can give both of them a go, but it is more about the conditions.”

Fast bowler Dale Steyn is also training with the side, but he will not be part of the playing personnel because he is continuing with his rehabilitation.

“We brought Dale back purely for the fact that he has been away from the squad for a while and we know that from a fitness point of view, he still has a few boxes to tick.

“It’s just for him to be around our physio and work with him and also to be with the group again to make sure that he feels important.

“He is a crucial part of our team and also to try and help out where he can with some of the younger bowlers.”