SYDNEY: captain of South Africa Dean Elgar says the pride and the possibility of still qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) The final will be two major driving factors as they aim to bounce back from a crushing series loss in the third and final Test against Australia starting here on Wednesday.
The clash at SCG is dead rubber as the hosts have won the first two games of the series in Brisbane and Melbourne.
All the South Africans can now hope for is a consolation victory, although a victory will also keep them alive in the hunt for a place in this WTC decider later this year.
Elgar and Co are currently fourth behind Australia, India and Sri Lanka, with victory in Sydney for the home side guaranteeing a place in the final.
“There is plenty to play for,” the Proteas skipper told the media before the match.
“We’re playing for pride, we’re playing for a potential place in the WTC Finals. So we have a lot to play for as well.
“It’s a huge incentive for us and for me, you play every Test match as if it’s your last and I hope we can put on a better show this time. We always want to play good Test cricket and be a thorn in the side of the opposition and we will aim to be even better this time.”
South Africa has been disappointing with the bat throughout the series, especially the first order. With a few exceptions like Kyle Verreynne and Temba BavumaElgar thinks the hitters need to do a lot better in this game.
Theunis de Bruyn will miss the game due to paternity leave, which means there will be at least one change in the roster.
“You can’t hide in Test cricket and the top five obviously we have to find a way to deal with and negate the demands of batting discipline in Test cricket,” Elgar explained.
“I think Kyle was brilliant for us at six and moving him around, I don’t think that’s going to help us or help him at all and I don’t think that’s fair.
“I think our only batting options are with those two (Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen) by team composition.
“Rassie has quite a bit of experience at Test level and he can bring a lot to the role and then you look at a guy like Heinrich, who is immensely talented and maybe he deserves a chance now, an extended chance too. We’ I will make those decisions this afternoon,” he said.
The captain was also asked if he had changed his perception of playing an extra hitter instead of a front row bowler.
“I’m still thinking 6-5, but all options are on the table for us. Playing seven batters would be a massive call for us and a massive demand for our bowling unit to obviously cover those four spots.
“The workload has been quite hectic for our fast bowlers lately, especially in the last test where they really pushed quite a few numbers in terms of overs bowled. Expect them to come into a test match and only have four bowlers, potentially only three seamstresses, that’s a big ask for them.
“But the options are there, and we’ll make those decisions by tonight,” Elgar concluded.
The clash at SCG is dead rubber as the hosts have won the first two games of the series in Brisbane and Melbourne.
All the South Africans can now hope for is a consolation victory, although a victory will also keep them alive in the hunt for a place in this WTC decider later this year.
Elgar and Co are currently fourth behind Australia, India and Sri Lanka, with victory in Sydney for the home side guaranteeing a place in the final.
“There is plenty to play for,” the Proteas skipper told the media before the match.
“We’re playing for pride, we’re playing for a potential place in the WTC Finals. So we have a lot to play for as well.
“It’s a huge incentive for us and for me, you play every Test match as if it’s your last and I hope we can put on a better show this time. We always want to play good Test cricket and be a thorn in the side of the opposition and we will aim to be even better this time.”
South Africa has been disappointing with the bat throughout the series, especially the first order. With a few exceptions like Kyle Verreynne and Temba BavumaElgar thinks the hitters need to do a lot better in this game.
Theunis de Bruyn will miss the game due to paternity leave, which means there will be at least one change in the roster.
“You can’t hide in Test cricket and the top five obviously we have to find a way to deal with and negate the demands of batting discipline in Test cricket,” Elgar explained.
“I think Kyle was brilliant for us at six and moving him around, I don’t think that’s going to help us or help him at all and I don’t think that’s fair.
“I think our only batting options are with those two (Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen) by team composition.
“Rassie has quite a bit of experience at Test level and he can bring a lot to the role and then you look at a guy like Heinrich, who is immensely talented and maybe he deserves a chance now, an extended chance too. We’ I will make those decisions this afternoon,” he said.
The captain was also asked if he had changed his perception of playing an extra hitter instead of a front row bowler.
“I’m still thinking 6-5, but all options are on the table for us. Playing seven batters would be a massive call for us and a massive demand for our bowling unit to obviously cover those four spots.
“The workload has been quite hectic for our fast bowlers lately, especially in the last test where they really pushed quite a few numbers in terms of overs bowled. Expect them to come into a test match and only have four bowlers, potentially only three seamstresses, that’s a big ask for them.
“But the options are there, and we’ll make those decisions by tonight,” Elgar concluded.
