Proteas aiming to throw first punch in second test against India

The Proteas will be looking to throw the first punch when they take on India in the second of three ICC World Test Championship matches starting on Thursday morning in Pune, India.

South Africa will be hoping that the toss will fall their way, unlike in the Visakhapatnam opener where they ended up chasing 502 runs in their first innings. Proteas captain Faf du Plessis says it is all about trying to stay ahead of the game and the opposition at all times.

Despite not having started the newly introduced Test Championships – which will be played over the next two years – in their home conditions, Du Plessis says they are expecting good playing conditions for the tour unlike in 2015. He explains his thinking behind the Test Championships points system.

Du Plessis also hints that there will be couple of changes made to the starting team for the clash with the hope of putting together a team that can hopefully get 20 wickets for them.

Despite arriving to a green layer of well-trimmed grass on the playing pitch in Pune, Du Plessis insists that they are still expecting dry and turning conditions. – Report by Thando Gqamane