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South Africa coach Shukri Conrad is hopeful about fielding an all-pace attack in the first Test against Australia. He also provided a fitness update on Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, expressing optimism about having all 15 players available.
The Test between India and South Africa is just two days away, scheduled for December 26th at SuperSport Park in Centurion. It will present a significant challenge for both teams given the exciting players on both squads.
Ahead of the game, South Africa is dealing with some injury concerns. Both Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, key pacers, are not at full fitness, which could impact the team’s performance.
Rabada has a heel injury while Ngidi is dealing with an ankle injury, but both are training with the team, and South Africa is hopeful they will be fit for the game.
Conrad addressed the fitness of Rabada and Ngidi, stating that no replacements have been called as they anticipate the pacers being fit for selection. He said to reporters, “They are both here with us and that means they are available for selection as things stand. We have not called anybody in as a replacement and hopefully come the morning of the match we have 15 fit players to select from.”
South Africa will have the promising Gerald Coetzee in the team, and he is expected to play a significant role. Conrad believes that Coetzee is a young talent in Test cricket, highlighting his aggression and potential to lead the bowling attack in the future.
Conrad added, “He’s still a baby in Test cricket. He brings aggression, he brings something that we’ve always prided ourselves on as South Africans, which is pace. He brings all of those elements and hopefully through the experience he builds in the (T20) leagues and playing for South Africa with the white and red ball, in a couple of years’ time he can be leading our bowling attack.”
IND vs SA: You go 1-0 down and you can’t win the series – South Africa coach Shukri Conrad
Conrad emphasized the importance of maintaining South Africa’s record of winning over India in Tests and acknowledged that even one loss can put them at a disadvantage. He said, “If it was possible to make this even bigger, then the fact that India have never won here does that. We certainly want to hold on to that proud record and make sure that that doesn’t happen.”
He also noted the pressure of the series and the impact of matchups, highlighting the high stakes due to the two-Test format. “There are so many matchups that this series hinges on. It’s two Tests, so it’s a high pressured one. You go 1-0 down and you can’t win the series. You go 1-0 up, you can’t lose. It’ going to be like a heavyweight boxing bout.”
India has never won a Test series in South Africa, adding to the anticipation surrounding this upcoming series.
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