Zaahier Adams at the Waca
The temptation is always there to play four fast bowlers at the WACA, but South Africa are likely resist and will in all likelihood opt for the specialist spinner in the first Test.
Captain Faf du Plessis was undecided at the pre-match press conference because he still needed to have a closer look at the wicket, but South Africa’s training session suggested that at least one of Keshav Maharaj or Tabraiz Shamsi will debut alongside pacemen Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander on Thursday.
Both uncapped spinners spent an extra hour working on their skills even though Du Plessis stated that Morne Morkel is very much in contention for selection.
“He (Morkel) has been working extremely hard trying to get back to full fitness. He is definitely in contention. Trying to do everything possible. He has been bowling really well,” Du Plessis said.
The big Titans fast bowler has been seen doing extra fitness sessions with team physiotherapist Brendon Jackson every day here at the WACA after being forced out of the New Zealand Test series and ODI whitewash of Australia in recent months due to a back injury.
With WACA curator Matt Page promising that the playing surface will have pace and bounce, the Proteas brainstrust will have sleepless nights over their eventual decision for Morkel is the one South African bowler that thrives in these conditions due to him being able to gain steep lift from a normal length.
In reverse, the Australian batsmen were at sea against the Sri Lankan spinners in their most recent Test series. Left-armer Rangana Herath, in particular, created all sorts of havoc which could work in favour of either Maharaj or Shamsi when the call needs to be made.
However, Du Plessis believes the home side will relish being back on pitches where they are able to hit through the line instead of having to worry about variable bounce that is common the subcontinent.
“They will take comfort in the fact that they are playing in home conditions,” the Proteas captain said. “If I can speak from our point of view, when we returned from India we were little bit scarred from that series heading into our South African summer. We took comfort in our own home conditions. It took time. Some of the guys were not in form. It might be the case, but they will take comfort in their own conditions.”
Independent Media