By Jacques Kallis
Undated: As expected the Proteas have recovered from the disappointment of losing the series and I get the feeling that they are entering the final Test about as well prepared, emotionally and physically, as you can be when you are playing for pride.
There are ICC ranking points at stake as well, of course, but they aren’t the reason the Proteas want to hit back hard. It hurts so much more to lose when you haven’t done yourself justice than to lose a closely fought game when everyone has played close to their best.
Straight after the Nagpur Test, this match might have felt like a bridge too far, but now it is quite the opposite. Some of the guys were saying on Monday: “Thank goodness we didn’t have to go home last week – it would have been horrible to return without playing our best.”
So Delhi represents a real chance to make up for what has happened so far. Much as I know that the whole XI which lost in Nagpur would like the chance to play again, I think there will be one or two changes, although I don’t know what they will be.
Kagiso Rabada has undoubtedly been one of the outstanding success stories for the Proteas and has enhanced his reputation in every single game.
The only problem is that he has played in every single game! The workload hasn’t been as heavy during the Test series with Bangalore washed out and, no doubt he is raring to go – he is a young man. But management may decide to rest him.
Dane Piedt is an exciting off spinner with a couple of good variations – it would be easily the greatest test of his skills and potential if he was given a game.
And Temba Bavuma must also come into consideration as another specialist batsman, provided he is still hitting the ball in the nets. Sometimes you lose form after so long away from the ‘real’ action.
I have always admired India for being able and willing to select their final XI on a ‘horses for courses’ basis. Many other teams are not so willing to change – they prefer the ‘best XI’ to adapt to conditions rather than adapt the XI to fit conditions. But I’d still be amazed if they didn’t pick the three spinners who have served them so well.
As I thought would happen, the pitch looks a lot calmer and more ‘normal’ now that the series is won. I haven’t seen it but, from what I’ve heard, it looks likely to sustain the match well beyond the third day, which is a nice thought!
There has been a lot of talk about how South Africa can “motivate” themselves for this game.
Actually, it is often the team which has won the series which finds it harder to rediscover the intensity they had to win it.