South African skipper Dean Elgar says “talk is cheap” as his workforce prepares to battle for pleasure within the third Test on the SCG after a disastrous sequence for the vacationers’ batters.
The guests suffered heavy defeats in Brisbane and Melbourne, with the primary Test of the sequence over inside two days after South Africa was rolled for simply 152 and 99.
They didn’t carry out a lot better on the MCG with their high order failing to fireside towards Australia’s elite bowling unit.
Things gained’t get any simpler on a Sydney deck that’s prone to favour spin, and Elgar says the onus is on the batters to salvage some pleasure towards an Australian aspect lacking the injured Mitchell Starc and Cam Green.
“Talk is cheap at the moment so we have to go out and perform,” stated Elgar, who has managed simply 31 runs from 4 innings this sequence.
“Actions are where we are at the moment and you’ve got to make amends.
“It’s been very frustrating knowing that what we’ve brought along – from a squad point of view – players that are really talented. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone our way this time but I still feel there’s a lot to play for in this third Test.”
The skipper didn’t present a remaining workforce when requested about it on Tuesday afternoon, however did trace that spinner Simon Harmer might come into the squad with the guests set to make a minimum of one change with Theunis de Bruyn returning house for the delivery of his first youngster.
“All options are still on the table for us to play seven batters,” Elgar stated, indicating he’d fairly go together with six batters and 5 bowling choices.
“It would be a massive call for us and a massive ask of our bowlers to cover those four spots. Workload has been quite hectic on our fast bowlers of late, especially the last Test where they really pushed large numbers in regards to overs bowled.
“To expect them to come into a Test match with four bowlers and potentially only three seamers is quite a big ask.”
One factor he gained’t do is ask wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne to maneuver up the order after impressing with a few half-centuries this sequence.
Verreynne has been one of many few shining lights with the bat however Elgar stated it was unfair on the 25-year-old to maneuver him as much as 5 at this stage of his profession.
“You can’t hide in Test cricket. The top five has to find a way to deal with and negate the demands of batting discipline in Test cricket,” he stated.
“I think Kyle has been brilliant for us at six. I don’t think moving him around is going to help us out, I don’t think it’s going to help him out and I don’t think it’s fair for him because he’s still young in his Test career and he’s only finding his feet in his batting position.
“I think it would be unfair to ask him to go and perform another role elsewhere.”
While many will view the sport as a useless rubber, that is one South Africa should win in the event that they need to clinch a spot within the World Test Championship to be performed later within the 12 months.
Australia is at the moment on high of the WTC standings with South Africa again in fourth, and there’s an opportunity the groups might play once more within the remaining if outcomes go their manner.
“We always want to play really tough cricket,” Elgar stated.
“We always want to be a thorn in the side of our opposition and if we can disrupt Australia’s potential plans for that final, then it’s definitely part of the work in progress for this game.”
