The Proteas believe playing the first test of the four-match series at Centurion will give them the best chance of winning a first test series against England on home soil in 20 years.
Proteas captain, Faf Du Plessis, says they expect a good crowd for their first test that starts on Thursday at Supersport Park and that motivates them as players.
Du Plessis also says for them to be competitive in the series, it’s going to be important that they get runs on the board. Getting runs on the board has been a challenge for the Proteas with the top-order disappointing in the series against India in October but even at the World Cup in England.
Faf Du Plessis scored the team’s only century of the tournament in the match against Australia and as much as a good bowling attack is also crucial, the Proteas know if they can do well with the bat they will have a chance against England.
“Similar to us they’ve got a batting line-up that is young with some experience, a lot of guys will come in for the first time so there’s an opportunity for our bowlers. I’ve said that for us to be competitive in the series we need to get runs on the board if we can do that then the bowlers can do their thing,” says Du Plessis.
Playing the first test in Centurion might just be what’s needed for the team to have a good start in the series.
“So for your big test matches you need to go where people come out in full force and support you. And obviously here, it’s that time of the season where people go on holiday; but they still love cricket so much that you expect to get a good crowd. That’s what we as players love,” says Du Plessis.
Play will get underway at Supersport Park at 10 am on Thursday.
