In-form bowler Marco Jansen ready for Test debut

Marco Jansen announced himself in the IPL back in April, but over the next couple of months the six-foot-eight bowler could really burst on to the international scene as he is tipped to make his Test debut against India, either on Boxing Day or in the new year.

And the good news is that Jansen is in fine form, having shone during the SA A series against India A that ended last week.

In six first-class matches this summer for Eastern Province Warriors and SA A, he has taken 17 wickets at an average of 20.29, and on a flat Bloemfontein pitch, Jansen troubled the India A batters more than his returns suggested.

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“I was very pleased with how that series went because Bloemfontein is not easy for seam bowlers. I just tried to be as consistent as possible,” Jansen said on Monday.

“Fortunately I played a bit of four-day cricket before the series and it’s all about consistency, otherwise you won’t get that rhythm or be on a good run. I’m bowling well at the moment because I’m consistent and hopefully I get to play one or two games for the Proteas.”

Growing up in Potchefstroom and starting his professional career in Bloemfontein, Jansen has certainly honed his skills on the sort of good batting pitches you get at Test level.

“When I look at a pitch and realise that it’s flat, I try and take responsibility and be as consistent as possible in terms of where I land the ball and how much energy I put in,” said the 21-year-old rising star.

“Growing up in Potch, it was easy to get deflated and not give 100% all the time, but the players in Bloem helped me and I developed a new mindset – not to shy away, to go harder when it’s flat, be even more consistent and bowl with more energy.”

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Having played for the Mumbai Indians in this year’s IPL, before taking on India A, Jansen has plenty of intel in the memory bank for when the Test team arrives.

“It helps to know how they think and I know most of them. If I do get a chance to play against them, then you want to play better than them. You look forward to it, especially because you know them,” he said.

“Someone like Hanuma Vihari, man he faced a lot of balls in the SA A/India A series! When I hear his name, I just see balls and balls. We actually chatted a lot and he batted really well in those conditions.

“We spent a lot of time joking around too and I told him that there will be a bit more bounce in Pretoria and Johannesburg. There’s no other pitch like Bloem in the country, and I told him he better get his plans together!”

Likewise, Proteas fans can bank on Jansen, if he does make his debut, having both a plan and great form to rely upon.