The Proteas have left Australia bemused about the conditions they might encounter in the first Test in Durban with an examination against both pace and spin a possibility from Friday.
Simple planning to face a clutch of fast bowlers, as on previous tours, has given way to a range of different thoughts for the visitors who may encounter three quicks and two spinners at Kingsmead.
“I think the wicket will certainly, across the course of the Test match, provide some reasonable turn. I wouldn’t pre-empt what they’re going to do, but their spinners obviously had some success against us through that white-ball series,” Australia’s chief selector George Bailey told cricket.com.au.
The Australians, who lost 12 wickets to spin bowling in the One-Day series, started a two-day practice match against a CSA Invitational XI in Potchefstroom yesterday, with their bowlers getting a tough workout on a typically flat pitch at the University Oval.
Interestingly, their left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann bowled the second-highest number of overs after frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, a further indication of their thinking.
Threat of spin
Some of Australia’s thinking about what they’re expecting was also revealed by the call-up of Nic Maddinson to their squad on Friday. Australia wants a batter in their line-up capable of dealing with the threat of spin.
The tourists have faced a growing injury list since arriving in South Africa, with Josh Inglis suffering a fractured finger, which will force him to miss the first Test, and Cameron Green battling an abdominal injury picked up in the last ODI.
Maddinson missed all of the last Australian domestic season while undergoing successful treatment for testicular cancer. The 34-year-old played the last of his three Tests in 2016, and his selection was met with some criticism in Australia, with his lack of recent first-class game time cited as a concern.
However, Bailey said the left-hander’s experience was important. “Not to dismiss his work against quick bowling, but I think [Maddinson’s] a very strong player of spin. And probably from that One-Day [International] wicket and looking at [South Africa’s] squad a little bit, I think it’s half an expectation that’s probably what we’re going to get hit with in Durban,” he said.
Sam Harper has also been called up to their Test squad as cover for Inglis, who was the back-up wicketkeeper.
Rabada’s return
The Proteas will start a two-day intra-squad match in Durban this morning.
Crucially, Kagiso Rabada got through two training sessions on Friday and yesterday. The big decision on his readiness for Friday’s start will be how he recovers after the practice match following a lengthy period out with a hamstring injury.
A fit Rabada would allow the Proteas to play three quicks and possibly both of their frontline spinners, Keshav Maharaj, who took six wickets in the one-dayers, and Simon Harmer
Already buoyed by Rabada’s rapid return to fitness, there was further good news for the home team yesterday, with Lungi Ngidi joining for the remainder of the week as he continues his rehab from his hamstring ailment with an eye on selection for the second Test.
A fit Rabada would allow the Proteas to play three quicks and possibly both of their frontline spinners, Keshav Maharaj, who took six wickets in the One-Dayers, and Simon Harmer.
The Proteas management confirmed that Tony de Zorzi was ruled out of the Durban Test with a “mild left hamstring injury”. The fact that no replacement has been called up reflects the batting depth available in the group.
De Zorzi was one of several options for the top order, but Shukri Conrad mentioned that he’s comfortable that David Bedingham, who’s been in excellent form all year, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder provide sufficient cover for the No 3 spot.
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