Worcester - The Proteas’ Test unit set themselves the task of improving certain aspects of their game in the two-day warm-up match against Worcestershire County Cricket Club which started on Friday at the New Road. Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith were the obvious omissions from the 12 players named to take part in the match, with Thami Tsolekile being handed the gloves.

South Africa posted 237 for nine declared, an innings highlighted by an impressive 80 runs from AB de Villiers, who didn’t get the chance to bat in the first Test. Albie Morkel made a positive return to the longer format for South Africa with a well-constructed  half-century, which included nine boundaries.

The two shared a 91-run fourth-wicket partnership after young Chris Russell dismissed openers Jacques Rudolph (7) and Alviro Petersen (10) in his opening spell. JP Duminy was dismissed for five runs, after patiently seeing out 34 balls.

Vernon Philander contributed with an important unbeaten knock of 40 at the back end of the innings, which was an encouraging innings as he continues to cement his role as an all-rounder in the line-up.

Dale Steyn started from where he left off in the first Test at The Oval when he took two wickets in two overs; both batsmen edging to an alert Petersen in the slips. Philander and Morne Morkel, the regulars in the attack, used the opportunity to tighten up their processes, while it was key for a back-up bowler like Lonwabo Tsotsobe to experience some match intensity.

The hosts were 70 for three at stumps.