Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The Proteas’ Test squad’s three-day preparation for the first Test Match at Newlands on Wednesday will be precious, as the squad regroups after a 10 month lay-off.
Sign up for Sport24 promo mailers and win
The two-match Test series leaves little room for a slow start, with both teams looking to gain the early momentum.
“These three days are very important for us to get out any cobwebs that are there,” said SA spinner Paul Harris. “The guys have played cricket which is important, albeit one-day cricket, and they got better and better as the series (ODI series against Australia) went on.
“I think we are starting to hit our straps and these three days are going to be very key to our preparation.”
The last Test match that was played at Newlands was exactly 10 months to the day, January 6 2011. Harris was part of the line-up that played to a frustrating draw against India, on a final day that was evenly poised. The composition of the bowling line-up has been tweaked by the inclusion of leg-spinner Imran Tahir, a bowler Harris is looking forward to working with, if the conditions allow.
“Imran (Tahir) is another attacking option in the side and he has deserved his call-up. He has done very well in the last 12 to 18 months, he deserves his chance,” said Harris.
“It will be nice to bowl with him, it will be great to have two spinners in South African conditions, hopefully we can manage to do that if the deck suits it,” he concluded.
For now, the focus is on the drawing board, as the Proteas look for a series victory against Australia at home. The Test squad has an air of experience and stability, a trait the Proteas will be looking to exploit in the first of five Test matches of the South African summer.
Sign up for Sport24 promo mailers and win
The two-match Test series leaves little room for a slow start, with both teams looking to gain the early momentum.
“These three days are very important for us to get out any cobwebs that are there,” said SA spinner Paul Harris. “The guys have played cricket which is important, albeit one-day cricket, and they got better and better as the series (ODI series against Australia) went on.
“I think we are starting to hit our straps and these three days are going to be very key to our preparation.”
The last Test match that was played at Newlands was exactly 10 months to the day, January 6 2011. Harris was part of the line-up that played to a frustrating draw against India, on a final day that was evenly poised. The composition of the bowling line-up has been tweaked by the inclusion of leg-spinner Imran Tahir, a bowler Harris is looking forward to working with, if the conditions allow.
“Imran (Tahir) is another attacking option in the side and he has deserved his call-up. He has done very well in the last 12 to 18 months, he deserves his chance,” said Harris.
“It will be nice to bowl with him, it will be great to have two spinners in South African conditions, hopefully we can manage to do that if the deck suits it,” he concluded.
For now, the focus is on the drawing board, as the Proteas look for a series victory against Australia at home. The Test squad has an air of experience and stability, a trait the Proteas will be looking to exploit in the first of five Test matches of the South African summer.
