Durban: There’s a feeling in South African cricket that the Proteas are about to kick-start a new era with a team eager to put the disappointments of the last year behind them.
We will see over the next few weeks in the Caribbean whether this feeling is just a comfort blanket or the green shoots of a promising new dawn, as AB de Villiers’ men take on two of the best limited-overs teams in the world, T20 champions the West Indies and the reigning ODI kings Australia in the Tri-Series.
Perhaps the name of the venue in Guyana for South Africa’s first two matches – against the Windies tonight (7pm start, SA time) and the Australians on Tuesday – will offer some hope. Providence means “a timely preparation for future eventualities”, and Proteas coach Russell Domingo will hope like hell that it will be victory, or at the very least encouraging performances that will signal a climb back up the international ladder for his team.
The Proteas may consider themselves fortunate that the Windies come into the series in a usual political disarray. Also, seasoned players Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle have been left out as they were not contracted earlier this year.
However, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine, who haven’t played international cricket since November 2015, have been included.
The Proteas likely won’t be focusing too much on the Windies – who will be captained by Jason Holder – and rather how quickly they can adjust to what will be alien conditions for a number of their players. All-rounders Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell have yet to test their mettle in the Caribbean dust. Both, however, are in good form; Parnell in domestic cricket and “million-dollar” Morris in the IPL.
The role of spin is a particularly enticing one. Earlier this week, Acting Australia coach Justin Langer said he was not ruling out playing both Adam Zampa, who impressed in T20 cricket in South Africa earlier this year, and Nathan Lyon.
The same may hold true for the hosts, with left-arm orthodox spinner Sulieman Benn partnered with Narine.
And although such a decision would go against the grain, the prospect of the Proteas playing two wrist-spinners is something to savour. Alternatively, Imran Tahir can be paired with the left-arm orthodox of Aaron Phangiso.
Much has been said about the inexperience of the South African squad, but there’s a sprinkling of experience. Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock will opening the batting with De Villiers, JP Duminy and Rilee Rossouw to follow.
With no Dale Steyn, who’s loosening up in the T20 Blast for Glamorgan in the UK, Morne Morkel will lead the pace attack with Kyle Abbott, Morris and/or Parnell.
It’s an exciting time for the Proteas, filled with uncertainty perhaps, but also ripe with possibility.
South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi.
West Indies: Jason Holder (capt), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Shannon Gabriel, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor. - Cape Times