Africa-Press – South-Africa. At Buffalo Park, East London
Proteas batting coach JP Duminy, in not so many words, confirmed they won’t be tinkering too much with their planned match-day 11 for Saturday’s second ODI against the West Indies.
The intermittent rain that blighted the first ODI on Thursday was nowhere to be seen on Friday, with a moderate breeze and more than comfortable heat not only allowing the playing surface and the square to dry out, but also seeing the ground in decent enough shape for the Proteas to practice on.
Without giving away names, even though the one of Tony de Zorzi popped up in the lead-up question, Duminy said they would be treading a similar selection path for Saturday match at Buffalo Park.
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The entire squad took part in Friday’s training session, with the likely pace attack taking shape in the forms of Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen.
The duo practiced extensively with bowling coach Rory Kleinveldt before Andile Phehlukwayo, Wayne Parnell, Lizaad Williams and Sisanda Magala joined them later in the piece.
“The great thing about where we stand is that there’s a plan in place and the net has widened somewhat in terms of opportunities for the guys,” Duminy said.
“Yes, there would have been one or two debuts if there was a game on Thursday and there’s a likelihood that things will be similar going into the game on Saturday.
“I think the important part is that we plan, and we cover our important bases. Importantly, can we find the right combinations going forward in the next couple of months going into World Cup?
“That’s what we need to see.”
The cancellation of the first ODI due to the weather left the Proteas with only two games to make use of in preparation for the month-end World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands.
One fewer game meant the Proteas need to press home any selectorial and tactical advantages that the weather and completed games will allow them.
Duminy admitted the weather messed with their plans, but theirs is to adapt to whatever unfolds in front of them.
“We may need to shuffle and, from time to time, there may be a fork in the road that may force us to go in a different direction,” Duminy said.
“If we can communicate well within the group and to stakeholders in terms of what that plan is, I think that’s the important part.
“The execution is going to be important, but the plan is in place. The weather did throw a spanner in the works, especially in the first game, so we’ll have to shuffle around going forward.”
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