Minimal changes expected for Proteas

Their 220 run win at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in the first test that finished on Monday was a crucial win in the two test series and they will be hoping to continue that momentum in Gqeberha.

Captain Dean Elgar has had a look at the pitch in Nelson Mandela Bay and believes that they don’t need to make changes to their set-up for the second showdown.

“If you want to have success in the test arena and in international cricket you have to have some sort of consistency,” Elgar said.

“Playing in PE (Gqeberha) conditions are pretty much what we expect and similar to what we had in Durban and viewing the wicket I think we might go in with the same structure.

“We still have some time to decide what we are going to go with but as of now I don’t think there will be too many changes.”

Conditions at St George’s Park are always going to be a factor and for the second test match they are expected to play a crucial part. Elgar understands that they need to take them into consideration.

“The wind plays a massive role here at St George’s and since we arrived the wind hasn’t stopped blowing so we know what we might experience during the test.

“If the wind is coming over the scoreboard they call it the swing wind and that might assist the bowlers and if the wind comes through the gap by the changerooms and the president’s suite then it does swirl.

“We’ve been given a good reference point at training today (Thursday) and the wind can play a massive part especially with the ball that goes up in the air and catching.

“Catching here is pretty tough as it is and then the wind adds a different dynamic.

“The wind also plays a massive part for the bowlers and their run-up’s and also with the batsmen because the wind sometimes blows you over a bit.”

The second test match starts in Gqeberha on Friday.