Coach Shukri Conrad has verified that South Africa is optimistic that fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be available for selection in Pretoria on Tuesday for the first Test against India.
Rabada and Ngidi have been sidelined with heel and ankle injuries, respectively, but Conrad maintains that they remain members of the squad.
“As things currently stand, they are both present with us, which means they are both available for selection,” Conrad told reporters on Saturday.
“We have not called anybody in as a replacement and hopefully come the morning of the match we have 15 fit players to select from.”
Gerald Coetzee, a firebrand 23-year-old fast bowler who impressed in the 50-over World Cup in India that concluded last month, will likely get a run on the Centurion Park surface with pace and bounce, notwithstanding his dearth of test experience, whether or not the duo participate.
Coetzee has amassed nine wickets in his two prior tests, the latter of which was earlier this year against the West Indies.
“In test cricket, he is still a baby,” Conrad stated. “He has been outstanding each time he has entered the field, regardless of whether he was holding the red or white ball. This will merely be an additional phase.
“He provides aggression and velocity, both of which are qualities in which South Africans have always taken delight.
“He brings all of those elements and hopefully through the experience he builds in the (T20) league’s and playing for South Africa with the white and red ball, in a couple of years’ time he can be leading our bowling attack.”
India are aiming for their first victory in a test series in South Africa, and Conrad asserts that his team is frantic to maintain their record of never having suffered a loss to foreigners on their home turf.
“If it was possible to make this even bigger, then the fact that India have never won here does that,” according to him. “We are determined to preserve that illustrious record and prevent that from occurring again.”
“There are numerous matchups that determine the outcome of this series. Two exams comprise this high-pressure situation. You are down 1-0 and are unable to salvage the series. Ahead 1-0, it is impossible to lose. “It will resemble a bout of heavyweight boxing.”