Van Zyl set for defining challenge of his career
Struggling Proteas opener can’t wait to face Anderson and Broad at home
BY THE end of this home international summer, Stiaan van Zyl will know whether he belongs at the highest level of the game. Ever since that glorious cover drive was seen for the first time as a schoolboy at Boland Landbou almost a decade ago now, Van Zyl has been touted as a future Proteas star. A century on his Test debut last season against the West Indies at SuperSport Park seemed to confirm the prophecies.
However, due to the team dynamics of the world’s No 1 Test side, Van Zyl has been forced to move up the order to open the innings with Dean Elgar. It has not been a smooth transition thus far for the 28-year-old, specifically on the recent tour to India where he encountered pitches of dubious quality that gave the home team’s spinners an unfair advantage.
The challenge of facing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in such trying conditions proved too much for Van Zyl and, after scoring just 20 runs in four innings opening the batting – he scored 36 once while batting in the middle-order – he lost his place to Temba Bavuma for the final Test in Delhi.
“I knew it was going to be tough before we left for India, but we never expected it to be that hard. Facing spin virtually from ball one is a different test of your skills,” Van Zyl said.
“I was a little disappointed to miss out on the last Test only because the pitch at Delhi looked to be a much better wicket to bat on. The pace bowlers bowled longer spells which I find a bit more comfortable, so it would have been nice to see how I fared on that wicket.”
The national selectors have, though, kept faith with Van Zyl for the first two Tests of the upcoming England series, moving Bavuma back to his regular spot in the middle-order.
However, this could be a defining challenge of Van Zyl’s fledging international career. Although in complete contrast to the spin and guile of Ashwin and Jadeja, England’s new-ball pairing of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are two of the best pace and swing bowlers in the world.
Anderson, in particular, will put Van Zyl’s technique against the swinging ball under a thorough examination – especially with the left-hander often planting his right leg straight down the pitch – setting him up as a candidate for lbw decisions.
“It will be great to face guys like Anderson and Broad. They are up there with the best in the world and to face them in our conditions will be a real test. But I enjoy a challenge of testing myself against the best the game has to offer,” Van Zyl said.
“It would be a great to play in the New Year’s Test at Newlands. The selectors have kept faith in me which is obviously a good sign, so I think if I can get through this period I will have a better idea of where I am as an international cricketer.”
He will get the opportunity to spend some much-needed time in the middle when he opens the batting for the Cape Cobras in their match against the Knights starting at Newlands tomorrow.
After spending six weeks on the subcontinent, Van Zyl can’t hide his delight at being back at the ground where his favourite curator, Evan Flint, prepares the pitch.
“I’ve had a chat with Evan and, hopefully, he has provided us with a nice flat deck for this weekend,” Van Zyl joked.
“It would be great to spend time in the middle and just bat for a couple of sessions. We don’t have much time before the Boxing Day Test, so any time in the middle is really appreciated.
“Likewise, I would like to make a good contribution to the Cobras’ cause and help the side get off to a good start in the Sunfoil Series.”