South Africa coach Shukri Conrad is optimistic that the team will play a full-tempo attack in the first Test against Australia. He also shared an update on the fitness of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, saying they are hopeful of having all 15 players.
The Test between India and South Africa is just two nights away. The match will take place December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. It will be a great challenge for both teams as both have interesting players in their ranks.
Heading into the match, South Africa have some injury problems. Two of their main pacers, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, are not at 100% and it would be a big blow for the team if they miss the match. It will make Proteas less favorite to win the match.
Kagiso Rabada is nursing a heel injury and Lungi Ngidi is out with an ankle injury. However, both have joined the team and are undergoing practice sessions and South Africa is hopeful that the duo will be fit for the match.
Shukri Conrad spoke about the fitness of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi and said that they have not called anyone to replace him because the pacers are expected to be in good shape. Speaking to reporters, he explained:
“They are both here with us and that means they are available for selection as things stand. “We haven’t called anyone up as a replacement and hopefully when the morning of the game comes we will have 15 fit players to select from.”
South Africa will also have the interesting Gerald Coetzee in the team and he is expected to play a very important role for the team. Shukri Conard believes the youngster is a baby in Test cricket.
He highlighted the aggression that Gerald Coetzee brings and added that he can be the leader of the bowling attack in the coming years. He added:
“He is still a baby in Test cricket. He has been phenomenal every time he has stepped on the field, whether with the white ball in his hand or the red one. This will simply be one more step. He brings aggression, something we have always prided ourselves on as South Africans: pace.
“He brings all those elements and hopefully, through the experience he gains in the (T20) leagues and playing for South Africa with the white and red ball, in a couple of years he will be able to lead our bowling attack.”
IND vs. SA: You are down 1-0 and can’t win the series – South Africa coach Shukri Conrad
South Africa coach Shukri Conard added that they will do everything possible to maintain the Proteas’ record of victories over India in Tests. He noted that there will be clashes and admitted that even a defeat can end them. He explained:
“If it were possible to make this even bigger, then the fact that India has never won here does it. We certainly want to preserve that proud history and make sure that doesn’t happen.
“There are so many matchups that this series depends on. There are two tests, so it is a high-pressure one. You’re down 1-0 and can’t win the series. If you go 1-0 up, you can’t lose. “It will be like a heavyweight boxing fight.”
India is yet to win the Test series in South Africa. It remains to be seen how they will fare this time.
