South Africa were not entirely sure what to expect of a hard yet brown Centurion pitch but skipper Faf du Plessis was confident his team had the firepower to make things happen
Faf du Plessis
South Africa were not entirely sure what to expect of a hard yet brown Centurion pitch but skipper Faf du Plessis was confident his team had the firepower to make things happen. "It looks a bit browner than I thought. The information from the groundsman is that the grass on the wicket has been burnt from the heat over the last week. It was very hot. We've asked for pace and bounce, so hopefully we will get that," he said.
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"We prepare bowler-friendly conditions because we want to win Test matches. Sitting here as a batsman, the first priority is to win games but if the ball takes the upper hand, so be it. As long as we are winning." Du Plessis was all praise for the options in his stable. "The success of our Test team is highly dependant on the fast bowlers That's why Lungi [Ngidi] has been brought in — we want to get a closer look at him. It's important for the next few months to have six or seven bowlers."
It was in that light that Chris Morris came into the mix. "I look at Morry as a fourth-seamer replacement. If you pick four seamers, he can be in them," said du Plessis.
"Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada are a step above in that regard. But if we play four seamers, he is someone who gets talked about because he has pace and the X-factor, and obviously he bats as well." Du Plessis added that more than pace it was variable bounce that gives batsmen grief: "If the pitch has variable bounce and fuller balls are coming past your head and shorter balls are staying down, then pace becomes more dangerous."
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