The highly-anticipated first Test between the Proteas and Australia will start in Brisbane on Saturday, with the hosts undoubtedly certain to be the overwhelming favourites.
For these followers watching in South Africa, it is going to be an early begin in the event you hope to look at a lot of the motion, with play beginning at 2:30am (SA time). It will probably be proven on SuperSport’s Grandstand channel 201, in addition to the cricket channel 212.
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Proteas captain Dean Elgar has described the chance to play in Australia as ‘surreal’ and a ‘privilege’ as the primary Test at The Gabba looms.
The two groups start their three-match sequence on Saturday with the guests hoping to construct on their excellent red-ball file Down Under the place they’ve gained their final three sequence.
Addressing the media at his pre-match briefing on Friday, skipper Elgar spoke in regards to the significance of the sequence and what was wanted to overtake the Australians in their very own nation.
“(It takes) a lot of courage (to win in Australia),” he stated. “You need to have the mindset of taking part in to win. It’s sort of one thing that I’ve been talking at size about inside our group, inside our squad.
“Australia’s a extremely powerful place to play cricket but it surely’s additionally such a rewarding place to play if you will get issues proper. You’ve obtained to take your alternatives and that sort of ties in with normal Test cricket around the globe.
“Playing Test cricket in Australia is such a privilege and you’ve got to go beyond what you’re used to. You have to actually savour the moment, it’s massive, and the legacy and history with South African cricket and Australian cricket is so rich. And we’re just another talented group that can achieve something great in the future.”
South Africa have little expertise taking part in on the well-known Gabba – the one time they performed there post-isolation was in 2012 after they drew with the hosts. That inexperience there’s a good factor, in line with Elgar.
“I must say we don’t have any dirty laundry when it comes to playing at the Gabba because we haven’t played here yet,” he defined. “So as a bunch we’re fairly recent and fairly distinctive to the environment. The historical past right here is clearly not in our favor and that’s okay.
“We have a young group and also an experienced group, so I think the fact that we haven’t had any failures here, it might work in our favor. So we’re looking forward to the opportunity, it’s almost like a surreal moment for us. We’ve been here for two weeks; we’ve been waiting a bit for this moment and we’re looking forward to getting going.”
The Proteas batting has come below scrutiny within the current previous after they skilled a tough time taking part in in powerful circumstances in England earlier within the 12 months. Elgar admitted it was time for the batters to place up their palms up with robust performances within the sequence.
“I think all the batters have to stand up,” he added. “It’s been a little bit of a speaking level that’s surrounded our batting unit of late. Again I’ve by no means shied away from it and it’s time for the boys to stand up. It’s time for myself personally to essentially put my hand up and make a large name and make a large play for us.
“In saying that we have a really talented group, they’re just a little bit inexperienced when it comes to Test cricket. But that’s okay. They don’t have a lot of baggage again coming into this series. They’re massively talented and they just need to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way,” concluded Elgar.
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Proteas Test squad towards Australia
Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
South Africa Test Tour to Australia Itinerary
Four-day Tour Match
09 – 12 December
Cricket Australia XI drew with South Africa – The Allan Border Field, Brisbane
Tests
17 – 21 December
Australia vs South Africa – The Gabba, Brisbane
26 – 30 December
Australia vs South Africa – MCG, Melbourne
04 – 08 January
Australia vs South Africa – SCG, Sydney
The Proteas squad. Photo: Twitter
