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Cape Town - Simplicity will be the formula for the Proteas as they gear up to face England in the first Sunfoil Test match at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on December 26th.
Proteas coach, Russell Domingo, says the group will need to ‘get back to basics’ in preparation for an important summer at home and on the back of a disappointing series against India last month.
“I’ve always thought that when sides are under pressure and possibly not playing well you need to do the basics well,” he said at Kingsmead on Tuesday.
“To go back and to try and keep it as simple as possible. Focus hard on the things we have done well in the past and try to do those things really well. It’s about trying to simplify our game plans and strategies as much as possible.
“We have a Test team that is trying to find their style of play, a new captain that is still establishing himself,” he added.
“This is another opportunity for us to establish that style of play and make sure we go out and do those basics well.”
Based on results over the past 10 years, the Proteas hold a poor record at the coastal venue, winning four out of the last 10 matches.
Domingo however, has fond memories from the last time South Africa played a Test match in 2013, which resulted in a comprehensive 10-wicket win over India.
“My record here is good,” Domingo quipped. “The Test match that I have been coach of at Kingsmead we won, India the Christmas before. It was Kallis’ last Test match and he played an outstanding game of cricket in conditions which suited India more than us. The start is going to be very important, you don’t want to go one-nil down in a four-match series.
“We know that in the past Durban hasn’t been kind to the Proteas in Test matches but this is a new Proteas team with different players, management and leadership. We are really excited about playing in Durban again, the Boxing Day and New Year’s matches are marquee events, we are looking forward to it.”
Domingo also announced that former Proteas all-rounder and current Sunfoil Dolphins head coach, Lance Klusener, will be working with the lower-order batsmen in the build-up to the Test match.
“We see our lower order as being potentially an area that we need to work on,” he said. “ Our batters eight, nine and ten I don’t think we are blessed with the all-rounders of the past like Klusener, Pollock or Nicky Boje. Our tail is a little bit exposed and that’s why I have asked Lance to come in for the next few days. His particular role will be to work with the lower order batters as a guy who has batted in those positions at international level. He can pass some of his ideas to the lower order and also gives them a sense of purpose and a sense of direction, their contributions with the bat this series are going to be important.”
