Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The Proteas went into the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi underprepared, according to a few former players.
As it happened: Pakistan v Proteas
South Africa on Wednesday suffered a humiliating seven-wicket defeat in the first of the two-Test series.
It was their first Test of the new season and they played one three-day game heading into the series-opener in the desert.
Former SA coach Ray Jennings says the Proteas have made a habit of playing poorly in series openers and also warned that South Africa would be in trouble the day Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn aren't there anymore.
"The warning signs are there. Without those three and Hashim Amla South Africa will be just another normal team. Smith and Kallis hardly played any cricket in the last while and it was clear they were not at their best," Jennings told the Beeld website.
Former opening batsman, Boeta Dippenaar, and fast bowler, Shaun Pollock, both agreed that more warm-up games should have been organised.
"Even if we only played a few games internally here at home," said Dippenaar.
Pollock said two warm-up games are needed when a Test series kicks off the new season.
The second and final Test will be played in Dubai from next Wednesday.
As it happened: Pakistan v Proteas
South Africa on Wednesday suffered a humiliating seven-wicket defeat in the first of the two-Test series.
It was their first Test of the new season and they played one three-day game heading into the series-opener in the desert.
Former SA coach Ray Jennings says the Proteas have made a habit of playing poorly in series openers and also warned that South Africa would be in trouble the day Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn aren't there anymore.
"The warning signs are there. Without those three and Hashim Amla South Africa will be just another normal team. Smith and Kallis hardly played any cricket in the last while and it was clear they were not at their best," Jennings told the Beeld website.
Former opening batsman, Boeta Dippenaar, and fast bowler, Shaun Pollock, both agreed that more warm-up games should have been organised.
"Even if we only played a few games internally here at home," said Dippenaar.
Pollock said two warm-up games are needed when a Test series kicks off the new season.
The second and final Test will be played in Dubai from next Wednesday.
