Just before the Test series started, South Africa lost JP Duminy and Morne Morkel to injuries. They conceded the first Test inside three days. On the last day of that match, they were without their ace bowler, Dale Steyn, who strained his groin. Then they moved on to Bengaluru, the venue for the second Test. On the first training day, they lost another of their pacer, Vernon Philander, in a freak ankle injury during a warm-up game of football, ousting him from cricket for six weeks. Now, on the eve of the Bengaluru Test, South Africa captain Hashim Amla confirmed that Steyn has been ruled out of the match as well.
But amid all the gloom, there is light. Duminy and Morkel are fit again, certain to play in Bengaluru. “Dale and Vernon are ruled out of this match,” Amla said. “Losing Dale, one of the best bowlers in the world, and Vernon, arguably the best all-rounder in the world, certainly changes the dynamics of the whole team.
“But the guys who are going to be replacing them are quality cricketers and we are very fortunate to have a great depth in our bowling attack, especially. If you want to win a series, it is generally won by 15 players and not 11. We still have a potent bowling attack to back it up.”
The Proteas have flown in Kyle Abbott to replace Philander in the squad. And it seems like he will have to get into the act without much of a breather.
“He is here at the moment and ready,” Amla said of Abbott. “Kyle, for the last couple of years, has been our outstanding reserve bowler. Whatever opportunities he has had in T20s, ODIs or Tests, he has done exceptionally well.
“He brings to the table a little bit of what Vernon brings – consistency. You know what you are going to get from him. He lands the ball consistently at one place and he has a great knowhow of what he wants to do. One thing I know about Kyle is that he is a wonderful professional and once he puts his boots on, he is ready. Even if he’s just got off the plane 10 minutes ago, he will bowl the first ball.”
Abbott will have to get into his groove right away, as the pacers will play a much bigger role in Bengaluru than they did in Mohali, where the spinners took centre-stage. The skies have been gloomy and the surroundings wet in Bengaluru for the last few days. The lack of heavy sunlight has left the pitch moist and there is quite a bit of nip in the air – perfect ingredients for the fast bowler to move the ball around, in the air and off the wicket.
Losing two of their premiere exponents of swing bowling is going to be a big blow for the visitors. But captain Amla is hopeful that the replacements will do the job for him.
“With this kind of conditions and moisture around, it doesn’t seem that this pitch will be like the one in Mohali. If the conditions suit seam bowling, it might help us a bit. India has got some decent seam bowlers as well, so let’s not write them off just as yet. When the ball is moving and swinging, all you have to do is land it on a decent area. Irrespective of who is bowling it, it will be a good ball,” he said.
It is not all bad news for South Africa, as Duminy is fit and rearing to get back on the field, with the torn webbing of his right hand completely healed.
“JP is back in the side,” Amla said. “He has been a quality player for us for many years. He bats at crucial positions down at 5, 6 or 7, and in all formats, that is the business end of a game. He brings a lot of knowhow in the middle-order and his off-spinners have been vital for us over the many years. Although he hasn’t played a game in the last two weeks, his training has been superb.”
