The Standard Bank Proteas bowlers must ‘box smart’ to take back the advantage in the first Test match against New Zealand in Dunedin. The home team finished in a steady position of 177/3 at stumps on day two, led by an anchoring innings of 78 not out from captain, Kane Williamson.
Proteas bowling coach, Charl Langeveldt, says the conditions have dictated a patient unrelenting game-plan, which will be tested against a determined batting line-up which bats a long way down.
“It’s similar to a PE wicket,” he said in Dunedin on Thursday. “At the end today there was a hint of reverse-swing so hopefully that will work in our favour. Every morning there has been something there, they bounced us out, tomorrow we have to box smart and try to contain Kane Williamson.
“They probably had the best of the wicket yesterday,” he added. “They bowled really well yesterday, this morning they got rewarded for the hard work they put in yesterday. There is a lot of work ahead for our bowlers. It’s (the wicket) a bit two-paced; some balls went through, straighter lines on this wicket will be ideal. It hasn’t gone a lot to first or second slip so I think we have our work cut out tomorrow.”
Langeveldt was impressed with Morne Morkel’s first Test match outing in over a year, particularly the 140-plus speeds the lanky paceman delivered. The first session of the traditional ‘moving day’ on Friday will be key as the bowlers look to make inroads, similar to New Zealand’s approach which skittled the last six Proteas wickets for 56 runs.
“I was impressed, his pace was up,” Langeveldt said. “With the number of overs he bowled I think he bowled really well and in good areas. The key thing for me was the fact that Morne Morkel’s pace was back at 100 percent. It was a plus point for him in that sense.”
Kagiso Rabada is recovering steadily from a gastric bug he picked up on Wednesday, and continues to rehydrate after a challenging 24 hours.
(Statement: Supplied)
