Proteas step into a bold new test era
With a new captain in Dean Elgar at the helm, the South
African men's cricket team will be hoping to hit the ground running in the
first test against the West Indies starting on Thursday.
Test cricket has not been the Proteas' best friend of late and their batting woes have been highlighted at length following the retirement of a number of their high profile batsmen.
Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers have left a gaping hole in the middle order of the Proteas who are looking to their younger generation to step up and plug it.
"We are aware of the failures we have had in the past," captain Dean Elgar said on the eve of the first test.
"The one thing that we can control is our preparation. That's a key foundation to try and give you success in this format."
With a bowling attack that will spearhead the side, the batting unit need to step up and make big runs. A slight concern for the Proteas is that experienced batsman Temba Bavuma might not be fit for the clash.
Should Bavuma not be fit the Proteas could hand Kyle Verreynne a debut along with Hollywoodbets Dolphins batsman Keegan Petersen, who's expected to play in St Lucia.
For captain Elgar the side are in a position where they can make it count out in the middle.
"We have prepared very well and with preparation there is no guarantee of the outcome.
"We are very aware of what's happened in the past and we are trying to rectify that.
"It's now time for guys to put their hands up. The opportunities are there for guys now," Elgar added.
Possible Proteas line-up:
Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Keegan
Petersen, Temba Bavuma/Kyle Verreynne, Quinton de Kock, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav
Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
