Prior to beginning their full series in Sri Lanka, South African coach Ottis Gibson said their pacers will be key in this tour.
Recently, in their first two-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka Board XI at P Sara Oval (Colombo), which ended in a draw, top South African pacers Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada ended in wicket-less while another pacer Lungi Ngidi was able to take one wicket.
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On the other hand, their spinners did an excellent job as Tabraiz Shamsi picked up five wickets and Shaun von Berg got two wickets. Also, Dean Elgar got one wicket in that match.
Despite the spinners performed very well in that game, Gibson is confident about the pacers to do well in this series.
The Protease coach said, “Our fast bowling has been the bedrock of our success for a long time.”
While Philander and Steyn are experienced with these subcontinent pitches, Gibson believes it will be good for the inexperienced Rabada and Ngidi to know how to bowl in these unfriendly conditions.
Gibson said, “That’s where preparation comes in. We’re letting them know early [that] don’t expect to see the ball flying through. Understand that you still have a part to play, running in and bowling at the top of your pace. The captain might use you in short spells, so even for four overs you can run in and go as hard as you can.”
Gibson is happy with South African pacer Steyn, who played his last Test in early January 2018 before an injury forced him to miss the cricket.
Talking about the 35-year-old South African pacer, the former West Indies all-rounder said, “I’m happy with where Dale is at. He knows what he needs to do to be up for a Test match.”
In this Sri Lanka tour, South Africa will play two Tests, five ODIs and only T20I, starting from July 12. Gibson believes positivity will be their key for success in this Sri Lanka tour.
Talking about their game plan for this tour, the South African said, “If we are going to win in these conditions we have to be positive and we have to try in most situations to take the positive option. The way Sri Lanka play their cricket, when a batsman comes in they will have fielders close [to the bat], which means there are scoring opportunities to be had.
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“You have to be positive and confident enough in your game plan to take on those open spaces in the outfield. If you are going to scratch around and get out, you might as well be positive and try and make some runs while you’re at the crease. That has always been my philosophy, and these conditions here don’t change my feeling on that.”
