Adelaide – While there’ll be some tension in their camp, the South Africans – especially the new players – are looking forward to the opportunity to face off against Australia at the storied Adelaide Oval tomorrow.
They’ll be led by a player new to the captaincy, will most likely give a debut international cap to a new opener in Reeza Hendricks, and then there’s the possibility of seeing rising star Kagiso Rabada in action too.
In addition – and probably more importantly in the context of this season – the one-day players, who also feature in the T20 squad need a run-a-round to help them get more accustomed to conditions and to get game time in their legs.
“Most of the guys who have replaced the senior players have earned their spots on the domestic scene,” skipper JP Duminy said this morning. “It’s exciting to have them in the fold.”
Hendricks and Rabada are the only two who have yet to earn international caps, while for the likes of Marchant de Lange, Farhaan Behardien and David Wiese, the opportunity to grab the selectors’ attention is something they’ll be keen to take.
“I’m a firm believer that this is a great opportunity for guys in both teams. With new guys in the team, it’s a great opportunity to put up their hands. If guys put in good performances it will stand them in good stead in a few months’ time.”
Though Duminy didn’t mention so this morning, one of the priorities for his side will be to give as much time in the middle to Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Robin Peterson and Ryan McLaren who will stay on for the ODIs against a more familiar looking Australian side next week.
That could mean the opportunities for Rabada, De Lange and Wiese will be limited.
There was a brief scare for the South Africans at training this morning when Parnell was struck a fearful blow on the right foot by Rossouw. Parnell limped away for treatment, but Duminy expects him to be okay.
“There’s a lot of time, even tomorrow because the match starts quite late, to get him right, I think, just judging things at this stage that he should be fine.”
As it is the Australian team the tourists face tomorrow is jam-packed with power – in both batting and bowling.
“We’ve got some tremendous depth,” said Australia’s new T20 captain, Aaron Finch. “Batters one to eight, are all powerful hitters, and we’ve got so many options and combinations we could try out.”
Like the South Africans there’ll be a few players in the Australian squad eyeing up World Cup spots. Finch is one of those, as is Shane Watson, making a return to the international area after five months sidelined by injury, James Faulkner, and Cameron White – the big-hitter from Victoria – who, despite many years on the scene, has never been a consistent presence in the limited overs sides.
“He’s been in tremendous touch for the last two years,” said Finch. “From a leadership perspective it’s great for me to have him and Watto (Watson) to lean on. His attitude’s been unbelievable, he’s got so much confidence to take bowlers on.”
The Australians have admitted this week, that their knowledge about players outside of Duminy, McLaren and Miller was limited, though Finch explained he was wary of the pace of De Lange.
“Yeah, I’ve faced him a few times and he does get it through. He’s got that slingy action, which is difficult to read. He can be a bit wild, but that just makes it even harder because he’s also capable of bowling some real jaffers.”
The first T20 International will start at 10.30am SA time.
l There was good news for Parnell, as X-rays to his right foot showed no fracture, but there is severe swelling which the South African team’s medical staff will monitor overnight and then again tomorrow morning before making a decision on whether he will play in tomorrow’s match.
SQUADS
South Africa: JP Duminy (capt), Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Lock, Marchant de Lange, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, David Wiese.
Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Patrick Cummins, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Readon, Kane Richardson, Shane Watson, Cameron White - The Star