Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi celebrates a wicket for South Africa against Australia A. Picture: Getty Images
Assistant coach Charl Langeveldt says Proteas team management were pleased with the time the players spent out in the middle ahead of their three-Test series against Australia, after their only warm-up match ended in a draw in Brisbane yesterday.
South Africa’s batters got some runs on the board against Australia A, with Dean Elgar contributing a first-innings century (109 runs) while Kyle Verreynne (80), Theunis de Bruyn (88) and Rassie van der Dussen (95) made half-centuries.
More importantly for Langeveldt – the team’s bowling coach – Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee all took at least three wickets each.
After making 347 runs in their first innings and declaring at 304/8 in their second innings, South Africa set the Australians a massive target and the hosts ultimately fell 241 runs short.
The Proteas were unable to close it off on the final day, however, falling four wickets shy of victory.
And while they were unable to rake in all 20 wickets on offer, Langeveldt was pleased with their all-round performance in the tour match.
“I think it was brilliant for our boys. We got our workloads in and everyone got a bowl,” he said.
“The guys spent some time on their feet in the field, which is important as well.
“And cricket-wise I think the guys, especially the bowlers, did well. We got the fuller length that we want.”
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Offering pace, movement and spin, and providing captain Dean Elgar with some real options, the Proteas gave seven bowlers a run during the tour match.
While Langeveldt admitted they were missing a key element without strong all-rounders in the side, he did feel South Africa had enough in their arsenal to take the fight to their hosts when the first Test gets underway at the Gabba this weekend.
“Competition in a team is great. It’s what you need, having people coming in and pushing for spots,” he said.
“Everyone brings something different to the table and to our bowling attack, which is awesome.”
The first Test between South Africa and Australia starts on Saturday, followed by matches in Melbourne (starting on 26 December) and Sydney (4 January).
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