Bowlers need to adapt quickly for New Zealand Test

Proteas bowling coach Charl Langeveldt says the Proteas will need to show adaptability in their game as they continue to prepare for the opening Test against world champions New Zealand on Thursday. 

But coming off a home series win against India, everyone is up for the challenge despite the quick turnaround between opponents, Langeveldt said as they concluded their first training session at the venue where the opening encounter is to be played. 

The team, who have left their 10-day managed isolation and quarantine facility in Christchurch, will take on the No 1 Test side over two Tests starting on Thursday and on March 1 at Hagley Oval.  

Describing the 10-day isolation period as one of the “hardest lockdowns he has ever been in”, Langeveldt said conditions in New Zealand could be tricky as they often play better than it looks.

“It can be misleading, it actually played a lot better than we thought and that is what New Zealand pitches are like, it looks green when you first get there, probably with the new ball it does swing a bit, it will seam as well. 

“It gets easier once the ball gets older, so we just keep telling the batters to stay in, take it deep [into the innings] and I think it is the same for the bowlers. 

“We need to make them play with the new ball, bowling a bit of a fuller length and as the ball gets older, you go back to your 6m to 8m lengths,” Langeveldt said. 

The former Proteas right-arm swing bowler said much of the extra time on their hands went into discussions on getting used to conditions and how to use it to their advantage.

“The discussions were basically to get used to the overcast conditions. When the sun is out, it is usually a bit easier; the ball doesn’t swing or nip too much, the grass colour does change. 

“We focus on bowling a bit fuller, we are normally 6m to 8m, with the new ball we will look to go about five and a half to six.

“I always say to the guys that it is being able to adapt, so we practised on different surfaces, the guys were a bit short to start off and then we got fuller. 

“Normally you will bowl back of a length in SA, which is your natural length, sometimes it is a bit hard to get that fuller length going more consistently,” he said. 

Asked for an assessment of his bowling attack, Langeveldt said everyone looked sharp.

“KG [Rabada], Lungi [Ngidi], Duanne [Olivier], we also have Marco [Jansen], everyone is bowling at a fuller length, even the guys on the fringe, Lutho [Sipamla] and Glenton [Stuurman], they have all had a bowl.”