Domingo upbeat ahead of NZ series
Proteas’ coach Russell Domingo is full of positive thoughts as he prepares his team for their first Test match in eight months, against New Zealand in Durban on Friday.
|||Durban – Unlike some prophets of doom, Proteas’ coach Russell Domingo is full of positive thoughts as he prepares his team for their first Test match in eight months, against New Zealand in Durban on Friday.
Not for him dark thoughts about South Africa’s recent slide down the world rankings, or fears that they will be undercooked going into the Kingsmead clash, the first of two unique winter Tests against the Black Caps this month.
Nor was he concerned with Cricket South Africa’s recent decision to implement race quotas at international level.
“There’s been nothing officially documented to me. So we’ll continually do what we’ve always done and pick our 11 best players. It (quotas) hasn’t been an issue for this particular side.
“If someone says that Kagiso Rabada and Hashim Amla are playing because of the colour of their skins, I’ll ask them whether they’re smoking something. They’ve proved themselves in international cricket. So for us it’s business as usual.”
Domingo made the point that the team, which will be ranked seventh in the world this week, had changed considerably since they were last No 1 three years ago.
“It’s a new team, and it wants to set its own legacy and benchmarks.”
Describing the immediate challenge against the Black Caps, and those against Australia and Sri Lanka later this summer, Domingo said it was a chance for the team to shine.
“I know we’ve slipped down the rankings, but it’s a great opportunity for the guys to do something special that maybe not a lot of people are expecting them to do. So we’re very excited by the challenge and we believe we can work our way back up the world rankings.”
Domingo acknowledged that his players hadn’t played a Test since the series against England in January, but pointed out that players such as Dean Elgar, Stephen Cook, Temba Bavuma and Vernon Philander had played some tough four-day cricket for South Africa 'A’ in Australia recently.
“It’s not at all my feeling that we’re undercooked. The guys have all been playing cricket in some format or other and they’re returning to action fresh and hungry.”
Amla had earlier revealed during South Africa’s net practice that he was ‘thrilled’ to get back to Test cricket, the format that has always meant the most to him, and Domingo echoed his premier batsman’s thoughts, describing Test cricket as the ‘pinnacle’ of the game.
Asked whether South Africa were looking to play an all-seam attack in the winter conditions, Domingo said that Durban ‘never really has a winter’ and that his first instinct was always to play a spinner.
“We’re a little concerned with the (patchy) outfield, but the pitch looks good and you always want to lean towards playing a spinner, particularly as the wicket in Durban has really helped spinners over the past five years.”
Although he regretted the loss of AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel through injury, Domingo welcomed back Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander who he said would complement the exciting Rabada in the pace attack.
“Dale always gives the side a lot of confidence and belief. When you’ve got a bowler with his track record and ability in your side, it puts the opposition under pressure knowing he’s playing for us.”
Domingo pointed out that former Proteas’ wicketkeeper, Mark Boucher, would be helping Quinton de Kock and the rest of the team in the three days before the Test.
“He’s got the reputation of being tough and having the fighting spirit that epitomises what the Proteas have always stood for. He’s a legendary ex-player with great energy and commitment so it would be foolish not to make use of him,” said Domingo. - Independent Media