'Pitches will not support India'
South Africa defeated India by 72 runs in the first game of the ongoing 3-match Test series. Faf du Plessis admits the fact that he does not mind if his team’s bowlers shape their victories in their ongoing series. He has also revealed that his side demanded pace and bounce friendly wicket.
"Sitting here as a batsman, the first priority is to win games. If we play in series where the ball takes the upper hand, so be it. As long as we are winning it is fine,” Francois reportedly stated.
Regarding the pitch he said, "The information from the groundsmen 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. It is the key thing,"
"If there was a bit of grass on it, it’s fine then we back ourselves. If it was a low-scoring game, we’d want to get 20 or 30 or 50 more. I expect a good cricket wicket and hopefully pace and bounce. We prepare bowling friendly conditions because we want to win Test matches," he added.
The Porteas’ skipper also disclosed that he sees Morne Morel as the fourth seamer replacement. He said, "Right now I look at Morry (Morris) as a fourth seamer replacement. If you pick four seamers, he can be in amongst them. Consistency-wise he has got a bit of work to do to be a third seamer. If you pick three seamers, he will consistently have to be on the money. Dale, Morne (Morkel), Vernon (Philander) and KG (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 x-factor, and obviously he bats as well,"
The 33-year-old heaped praise on Kagiso Rabada and said, "KG (Rabada) is an incredible athlete - I think that’s his strongest attribute. He’s just such a strong bowler. He can bowl the whole day and he doesn’t get tired. He’s very fit, which is a great thing for a captain because you know you can always throw the ball to him.
"I still believe his best is still to come. He is learning a lot as a bowler. With his body being so strong and the mind that he has on his shoulders, always looking to improve, the best is yet to come,”
India have won nine consecutive Test series and the Men in Blue must not lose the next Test if they want to save this series.
"India, at times, were really good in that first Test match. That’s why I said it was one of the best Tests I’ve played in, because there were so many ups and downs for both teams. India was in the game for 90 per cent of the game, so it was a fantastic contest between two really strong teams.
"Their bowlers took 20 wickets, but the only part when we were a little bit better was we got more runs in the first innings. I expect another huge performance from them.” Du Plessis concluded.
