Johannesburg - Shaking off the effects of jet-lag, getting some batting time in for Quinton de Kock and Farhaan Behardien especially, and avoiding injury would be the major goals of the two warm-up matches South Africa will play before the World Cup.
South Africa face Sri Lanka (Monday) and New Zealand (Wednesday) at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with the outcome of both matches of little consequence.
Just about the only sensible thing said by sports minister Fikile Mbalula at the team’s departure was that “warm-up” matches should not be taken seriously.
He made an unfair comparison with Bafana Bafana and their performances ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, but his assertion that the series win over the West Indies was merely a warm-up and thus needed to be ignored was also false.
Rilee Rossouw, Dave Miller, Wayne Parnell and Aaron Phangiso gained plenty of valuable game time from that series against the West Indies, and in the case of the first three, a lot of confidence too.
For the two warm-up matches in Christchurch, though, the results are of no importance - no medals or trophies will be handed out for winning those.
The jet-lag is major factor. It certainly weighed down a number of players when the side toured Australia and New Zealand last year, but the value of that trip will become apparent now as they should know how to shake off the effects and hopefully do so quicker.
Of more importance, however, is batting time for De Kock and Behardien.
De Kock returned to the side for the last One-Day International against the West Indies after being sidelined by an ankle injury for five weeks. His return to the fold happened quicker than many had anticipated, but a six-minute stay at the crease with just a single scoring shot was not what he would have wanted from that match.
The South African team’s management did try and get him - along with Phangiso and Parnell - game time for the SA A side in their series against England A, but bad weather put paid to those plans.
So for De Kock, the two matches in Christchurch hold some importance. He’s not the type to fret too much over form, but time at the crease will be valuable. In that regard he may want to follow the example of Michael Clarke who is trying to get himself fit for the World Cup and played for an Invitation XI against Bangladesh on Thursday.
Clarke batted for 47 minutes and scored 34 runs, with the time spent at the crease of greater importance to him than the runs he made.
The same could hold true for Behardien, who has yet to set the world alight with the bat since his surprising inclusion in the World Cup squad.
It would come as no surprise were Behardien to be shifted up to No 4 in the order for at least one of the two warm-up games.
Parnell’s 4/42 in that final ODI against the West Indies was a timely reminder to the selectors of his ability with the ball, especially in conditions which could favour swing.
If Parnell can show off some decent batting - even if just in the nets - it may cause a re-think about the make-up of the starting XI, which in South Africa’s last two series, when the big names haven’t been rested, has featured Behardien.
l Meanwhile, Brett Lee - probably echoing the sentiments of the South African squad - said he hoped the pitches for the World Cup, didn’t overwhelmingly favour the batsmen, and that some of what make Australian pitches unique should be retained for the tournament.
“When you are playing in Australia, the wicket should be the traditional Perth wicket that we always see. Real bouncy, fast wickets. Sydney should also have some pace.
“Adelaide should be low and slow. Brisbane should be seaming. The wickets should be traditional Australian wickets that we are used to and grew up playing on,” Lee said.
There has been a fear in some quarters that the International Cricket Council may demand flat and slower tracks to ensure more entertainment - by way of more runs - for the World Cup.
Lee, who was part of Australia’s victorious team at the 2003 tournament in South Africa, will work as a bowling coach with Ireland during this year’s competition.
Weekend Argus