WINDIES GO AWOL
option, particularly on the slower pitches in New Zealand.
“If you look at the make-up of our attack, with three seamers, plus ‘Fudge’ as the fourth seamer, then I will have to take the ball early on. It’s a good challenge for me, but I look forward to getting into the game early,” he explained.
Duminy, like many of the South African batsmen at practice yesterday, had an extended hit, and took advantage of the middle practice, which saw bowlers Kyle Abbott, Wayne Par nell and Ver non Philander charge in, and the batsmen looked to hit them out the park.
The handful of ticket hopefuls and afternoon strollers who popped in hoping to catch a net session were given a treat, as skipper AB de Villiers did his best to hit a few balls into the adjoining Greenwood Primary School, over the bowler’s head, and beyond the roof of the media centre.
Having entertained the minigallery, De Villiers then took part in the side’s “Reach For A Dream” initiative, handing out some gifts to one lucky youngster. The smile on the boy’s face was as wide as the chasm between the Proteas and the Windies in this series.
But, as the Proteas and their fans have realised, this series, against a team that has taken in the sights of South Africa but hardly made a sound, can hardly be used as an accurate yardstick.
In a few weeks, South Africa will be reaching for dreams of their own.
Then they will know where they stand. THERE are three keepers in the Proteas’ circle again. One is on the mend, one is taking it easy, and the third is taking every chance that he can get.
While Morné van Wyk will keep wicket tomorrow, to allow AB de Villiers some respite, the Proteas camp would have been heartened by the return to national duty of hard-hitting opener Quinton de Kock.
The Gauteng Lions’ youngster looked full of beans yesterday, as he was put through his paces at his first team practice in over a month, since damaging his left ankle in the first Test against the West Indies.
“The ankle feels fine, and I’ve been running it for a while now. I’m just chuffed to be back with the boys, hey. I’ve missed them, and doing fitness all the time is boring,” De Kock beamed after his net session.
Happily, for the management team, he doesn’t seem to have lost much touch over the last month away from the game.
In between the Playstation sessions, he’s remained fit and focussed on making his way onto the World Cup bus. His keeping looked sharp, and he didn’t seem concerned at all about his strapped hoof.
“Quinny is actually ahead of schedule,” team doctor Mohammed Moosajee explained.
“We said six weeks, but he is back already, and the ankle is 100% healed. As a precaution, he won’t play on Sunday, but we are confident that he will be in contention for next Wednesday at Centurion.”
De Kock also looked in fine fettle with the bat, which would have been even more heartening for the brainstrust. Even at just 22, he is expected to provide the Proteas with that whiff of magic at the top of the order.
But, for now at least, they will have to leave their young pup on the sidelines, itching to go back on the park. De Kock cannot wait.
“It will be great to be back out there. I’ll also play the SA A game against England in Potch on the weekend, just for game time. But I’m ready to go. Right now!,” he added with relish.