After levelling the three-match T20I series (1-1) against the hosts India, the visitors South Africa are getting ready for the Test series in this tour. Proteas pacer Vernon Philander strongly believes that it is going to be a tough series.
Before the beginning of the Test series, the South African team recently played a three-day tour match against the Indian Board President’s XI at Vizianagaram. South African players performed well in that rain-interrupted match while the hosts failed to dominate.
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After deciding to bat first, the visitors managed to score 279/6 decl. in the first innings. Opener Aiden Markram (100 runs) and the middle-order batsman Temba Bavuma (87 runs) shined with the bat in that innings.
In reply, the Indian Board President’s XI scored 265/8. Among the Proteas bowlers, the left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (3/35) took three wickets and the senior pacer Vernon Philander (2/27) picked up two wickets.
However, the 34-year-old Philander highly feels that the upcoming Test series is going to be tough. The three-match Test series will begin on 2nd October while Vishakhapatnam will host the first Test.
Philander said according to the ICC website, “Mainly it is just about getting a feel for the wickets. It is going to be a tough series, obviously, so the more time you spend out there in the middle, the better.”
We are known as a slow starter so this time around we have to start well – Vernon Philander
Faf du Plessis-led South Africa is looking for a good start in this Test series. After the retirement of two senior cricketers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn (retired from only Test cricket), it will be the first Test series for South Africa.
Philander added, “Spotlight will be on a lot of big players to make a statement. Our job is to come here and give the first punch as India is obviously expected to do well. We are known as a team who starts slow so this time around we have to start well. There is a lot of pressure on players but then it’s international cricket and you want to keep it that way.”
The Test championship brings in a new dimension
This upcoming Test series will be the part of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (2019-21). India have already played one Test series under this Championship and they are currently leading the Test Championship points table with 120 points. The forthcoming home Test series against South Africa will be India’s second Test series under this Championship.
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Meanwhile, this upcoming series will be South Africa’s first experience in the ongoing Test Championship. While they are facing the no.1-ranked Test team India and that too on their home venues, Philander has claimed that it is the perfect way to start their journey in this Championship.
The Proteas pacer said, “The Test championship brings in a new dimension. It is a new sort of excitement for players. Also knowing that you will be playing against top teams more often is great.
“It is a tough start…playing India in India but I do not think the South Africans would have wanted it any other way… take the big dogs in their home ground. All of us are looking forward to this challenge and there are a lot of player-to-player challenges as well. Can’t wait to get going.”
In India, South Africa has won only one Test series and that was in 2000. South Africa won that two-match Test series by the 2-0 margin. But since February 2010, South Africa haven’t won a Test match against the hosts India.