Big picture: Can Pakistan bring ODI momentum to Test series?
South Africa’s batting, in particular, unraveled and, worryingly for them, three of their front four (Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs) fell to the spin of Salman Agha in the first ODI. The conditions are unlikely to suit him at SuperSport Park, but the mental scars could be there and Temba Bavuma hopes they will be easy to overcome. “Whether it’s easy or hard, we have to find a way to do it,” he said. “Whatever, I don’t know, the trauma that was there, you know, the guys are going to have to deal with it.”
Bavuma was also quick to remind that the Test space is different as it is where South Africa has more stability and focus with the immediate goal of the WTC final. The opposite could be said for Pakistan, who have won three ODI series in a row and are preparing for a Champions Trophy at home where they defend the title.
That may mean the teams come into this match with slightly different priorities in terms of their current form, but that won’t downplay the sense of occasion. A Boxing Day test with high stakes, taking place at the same time as another Boxing Day test, with even more at stake. There is nothing bigger than this.
forms guide
South Africa: WWWWW (last five tests, most recent first)
Pakistan: WWLLL
In the spotlight: Aiden Markram and Mohammad Abbas
team news
South Africa (probable): 1 Tony de Zorzi, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Ryan Rickelton, 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Temba Bavuma (captain), 6 David Bedingham, 7 Kyle Verreynne (week), 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Dane Paterson , 11 Corbin Bosch.
Pakistan could follow South Africa’s example and go full speed, which would mean there would be no room for Noman Ali, although they would still have Salman Agha at their disposal. In the stitching department, then, Abbas, Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad are likely to join 21-year-old attack leader Naseem Shah.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (captain), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Khurram Shahzad, 10 Naseem Shah , 11 Mohammad Abbas
Field and conditions
There has been significant rain on the Highveld in the run-up to this Test match, which has made pitch preparation at SuperSport Park “difficult”, in the words of one source. Two days later, the surface was quite green, which is in keeping with its reputation. Centurion is the most seamer-friendly wicket in the country, which also makes it the toughest for batsmen. While Bavuma said he has “never played on a flat Centurion wicket,” days two and three are usually good for scoring runs, but with the cloud over his head, the batsmen “will know their work will be a lot for you.” and that they are You will have to work hard for your careers. The game may also be interrupted with storms forecast for the first morning and afternoon and the second and third afternoon.
Statistics and curiosities
- Eight batsmen have scored Test centuries for South Africa in 2024. It is the joint-most in a calendar year and the most in 12 years. They previously had eight centurions in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
- Pakistan have won two of the 15 tests they have played in South Africa, none since 2007 and none of their three at SuperSport Park. Their two wins came at St George’s Park and Kingsmead, the grounds that hosted the recent Sri Lanka series.
- Kagiso Rabada is three wickets away from overtaking Dale Steyn and becoming the leading wicket-taker at SuperSport Park. Rabada has played just eight Tests at the venue and has only taken less than five wickets here on one occasion, against India in 2018. He averages just over seven wickets per Test at Centurion.
- Since January 2018 there have been seven Tests at SuperSport Park and a clear advantage for the bowlers. They have taken 227 wickets at 23.22, compared to 16 wickets at 60.62 by the spinners.
Quotes
“We accept and recognize the fact that a lot of expectations would have been raised on the team. There will be pressure that comes with that. But to be honest, we are going to go into the series to win the series 2-0. I understand that to achieve that, there are certain things What we should do as a team: keep things simple, keep doing the little things well and allow the results to take care of themselves. Obviously, one of those results is qualifying for the WTC final and obviously we would like to see ourselves there. here”.
Temba Bavuma keeps South Africa in the moment even as they chase the grand prize of reaching the WTC final
“When I went to Australia, I didn’t have time to prepare properly. It was my first overseas tour there and I made mistakes, but I also learned what I could change. Here, under similar conditions, I have had time to prepare and get into a state of positive mood.”
pakistan batsman Saud Shakeel feels like he’s in a good place at the start of the series
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s correspondent for South Africa and women’s cricket
