Big image: Bruised India out to salvage sequence
This South Africa Test tour was billed as the ultimate frontier for India, and it continues to be unbreachable. Despite rain interruptions and South Africa shedding their designated captain Temba Bavuma to harm, India misplaced the Boxing Day Test inside three days to crash to an innings defeat. As if that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, India had been docked two WTC factors for sustaining a sluggish over charge. The problem will solely get stiffer for them within the second Test at Newlands, the place they’ve by no means received a Test in six makes an attempt.
The second-innings batting collapse sealed India’s destiny within the first Test, but it surely was the bowling that wants rapid treatment. The change bowlers, Shardul Thakur and debutant Prasidh Krishna, lacked management, leaking a mixed 194 runs of their 39 overs for simply two wickets. Should India herald Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan for Prasidh? Should they drop Thakur to create room for each R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on a floor the place the cracks will open up? Or ought to they merely belief Prasidh and Thakur to tighten up in situations that might present considerable seam motion, particularly within the early exchanges? India’s think-tank must make some tough selections once more, of their quest to avoid wasting the sequence.
Elgar already has one hand on the trophy and might be trying to bow out with each his arms on the silverware. In the absence of the injured Bavuma, Elgar will captain South Africa in what might be his last Test. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has additionally been sidelined from the Newlands Test with harm, which probably opens up a spot for Lungi Ngidi, who missed the primary Test. If Ngidi is not match-fit as soon as once more, South Africa may squeeze in left-arm fingerspinner Keshav Maharaj. Nandre Burger has seamlessly stepped into South Africa’s crew throughout codecs, providing selection along with his left-arm angle and speeds north of 145kph.
David Bedingham has additionally made an prompt impression along with his batting and catching within the cordon. The emergence of each Bedingham and Burger is a testomony to South Africa’s depth although they’re nonetheless coming to phrases with the altering panorama of cricket. Test cricket is not on the high of South Africa cricket’s agenda firstly of the New Year, with the SA20 able to take centerstage. South Africa high cricketers might be in motion within the franchise competitors within the nation whereas a severely depleted aspect, led by an uncapped participant, will journey to New Zealand for his or her subsequent Test sequence. But for now, South Africa will set their concentrate on sweeping India 2-0 and giving Elgar the proper send-off.
South Africa WWWDL (final 5 Tests, most up-to-date first)
India LDWLD
In the highlight: Dean Elgar and Shreyas Iyer
It was most likely written within the stars. Dean Elgar: Player of the Match in his last Test at his hometown Centurion. Elgar: captain of South Africa in his last Test total, in Cape Town. Elgar has a powerful physique of work from home: 48.09 in 81 Test innings. Only Herchelle Gibbs (49.50) and Jacques Kallis (64.65) have a greater common than Elgar at dwelling amongst batters who’ve performed a minimum of 50 Test innings in South Africa. After scoring 100 at SuperSport Park, Elgar publicly expressed his need to exit with a bang.
Shreyas Iyer has had his share of troubles towards the quick ball, but it surely was the total ball that acquired him in each innings in Centurion. Perhaps, he was anticipating the quick ball and was fractionally late to press ahead towards the fuller ones. Iyer has cemented his place in India’s ODI aspect, however he has performed simply 11 Test matches to date, out of which solely two have are available SENA international locations. Iyer might be examined by Kagiso Rabada and Co. as soon as once more in Cape Town.
Team news: Fit-again Jadeja may return for India
Local boy Zubayr Hamza is ready to interchange Bavuma within the XI. The 28-year-old had scored tons of for South Africa A and Lions final month, and averages nearly 50 in first-class cricket. Ngidi hasn’t performed a first-class match in over a 12 months, and if he is not prepared but, South Africa will flip to Maharaj to interchange Coetzee.
South Africa (possible): 1 Dean Elgar (capt), 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Tony de Zorzi, 4 Keegan Petersen, 5 Zubayr Hamza, 6 David Bedingham, 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Keshav Maharaj/Lungi Ngidi, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Nandre Burger
Jadeja, who missed the Centurion Test with an higher again spasm, is on the market for choice now and can possible slot again into the XI. Thakur had copped a blow on his shoulder on the nets after the primary Test however is on the market for choice for the second. Dropping Prasidh after only one likelihood might be harsh. Rohit Sharma mentioned as a lot at his pre-match press convention.
India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Shreyas Iyer, 6 KL Rahul (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Prasidh Krishna/Mukesh Kumar
Pitch and situations: Another robust one for batters?
There is a brand new(ish) groundsman at Newlands, Braam Mong, and this might be his first Test pitch. The floor appeared greener than ordinary within the lead-up to this Test and the climate is anticipated to nice throughout the sport although situations would possibly get a bit windy. While they may very well be early juice for the seamers, spinners would possibly come into play because the match wears on.
Stats and trivia: Rabada excels at Newlands
Quotes
“Drawing the series is not something we are thinking about at all. It’s a big occasion for all of us. We are in a fortunate position knowing that we can’t lose the series but drawing is maybe as big as a loss for us.”
South Africa captain Dean Elgar
“We all get nervous playing the first game. It’s understandable but he has good ability to succeed at this level, especially in this format. It’s just about showing faith and trust and getting the job done from there.”
India captain Rohit Sharma on Prasidh Krishna
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
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