There is little doubt that there would have been some tough moments in the dressing room after South Africa lost the first Test to Australia by 162 runs in the first Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. But coach Mickey Arthur believes his team has it in them to bounce back to actually win the series.
Arthur spoke of the disappointments and determination looking into the second Test, “We were pretty honest with each other after the first Test. We didn’t perform to the standards we have set ourselves over the last 18 months and that was disappointing. We have had a long, hard chat. The team is in very good space and they are determined to bounce back here. We have got two games to go and we are very confident that we can still win the Test series.”
He dismissed reports that suggested that South Africa were looking to replace Mark Boucher. Arthur stated that Daryn Smit, the Nashua Dolphins wicketkeeper cum leg spinner, was present from the point of view or orienting young talent and letting them getting a feel for the big game. He stated that Boucher will, in all likelihood, continue at least until the 2011 World Cup. But in the mean time, the efforts were on to identify and groom talent and with AB de Villiers now an established, integral specialist batsman in the line up, another specialist would have to be groomed for the wicket keeper’s position.
He also spoke about the possibility of going for an all seam attack in Durban, “I am not ruling out any option at the moment. It is likely we will play a spinner. We have played a spinner throughout our successful period of 18 months. Our spinner has brought a lot to the party and he has been an integral part of our attack. Overhead conditions will play an important part on the morning of the game. The amount of grass that is taken off the wicket will play quite an important role. I am not ruling out the option but, if all things stay equal, it is likely that we will play a spinner. I am sure a bit of grass will be taken off but the pitch is firm and hard. It looks exactly like you would expect to find a wicket two days out from the start of a Test match.”
The countdown to the second Test begins.
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