Former South African cricketer Nicky Bojé believes the Proteas’ experience of playing away from home will work be an advantage when they begin their tour of Sri Lanka next month.
Bojé was part of the South African side which lost the 2006 Test Series in Sri Lanka 2-0 but he believes they could do well this time around.
“South Africa were the number-one test nation in the world until very recently, and we have an amazing away-record,” he said. “Our ability against spin bowling has also improved markedly, partially due to our increasing exposure to subcontinent conditions.
The Proteas have done well away from home since October 2007, registering sixteen test wins and only five losses. During this period, South Africa have not lost a test series on foreign soil.
Bojé believes spin will continue to play a role in Sri Lanka but admits that the hosts will need other options following the retirement of the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan, while South Africa are also starting a new era without the likes of Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith.
“They will always use one or two spinners against us,” he added. “There are some world-class practitioners with the bat, including Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
“But in the previous test series, they had Muttiah Muralitharan, who played a massive role. And while we are talking about rebuilding without Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis, neither of them played in the 2006-series.”
