Proteas aim for improvement by sticking to basics against Black Caps

The first few days of the second Test between the undermanned South Africans and the efficient New Zealanders in Hamilton will tell the players on both sides how quickly the tourists can learn from the lessons dished out by the Kiwis a week ago.

Situated just more than 100km south of Auckland, Hamilton is famous for the local dairy industry, which has led to cow bells being a background note at major sporting events in that area, particularly rugby. 

Given the bulk of the second Test, which starts on Tuesday, will be played in the week, the volume on the cow bells might be toned down somewhat. It would be another new experience for the SA players, for whom so much in New Zealand, particularly on the field, is a trip into the unknown. 

They were taught just how difficult Test cricket is in a chastening four days at Mt Maunganui, where they suffered a record defeat. But Neil Brand, the captain who performed better with the ball than with the bat in the first match, said on Monday that the players were aware of the areas in which they erred at the Bay Oval.

“We have to do the right things for longer. We don’t want to lose wickets after a break or two wickets at a time,” said Brand, who made 4 and 3 when opening the batting, but took eight wickets in the first Test, with his part-time left-arm spin. 

Brand said the players had spent a lot of time reflecting on their performances in the first match. “For us it is about keeping things simple; we don’t want to complicate things too much.”

That was very much the hallmark of New Zealand’s play in the first. Nothing they did was superhuman. They were willing to absorb pressure with the bat when the Proteas bowled some good spells, and followed that by their own efficient bowling strategy, which targeted the stumps in the first innings and saw them gradually grind down Brand’s team. 

They won’t veer too far from repeating that in Hamilton, though there is talk they might add more aggression, either through Neil Wagner and his bouncers or Will O’Rourke, a lanky fast bowler who is quicker than Wagner and uses the bouncer proficiently. Tim Southee confirmed that the selection between those two was still being decided, but that Will Young would definitely replace Daryl Mitchell, who has to undergo rehab for a foot injury before New Zealand start a series against Australia next week. 

Brand confirmed the Proteas would change their bowling line-up too, echoing the opinion of head coach Shukri Conrad. “We want a few more options. I felt we were really good with the new ball in the first Test, but we want a few more options from over 20 onwards,” said Brand.

The most obvious would be to rope in Dane Piedt as the frontline spin option. With a sunny forecast for the week in Hamilton, Piedt would come into the equation should the surface dry out as anticipated. The extra bounce being predicted by locals will also help the off-spinner, who has nine Test caps to his name. 

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