Proteas star ready for India showdown
Vernon Philander says South Africa are eager to take on India’s “big dogs on their own ground” when they face off in the first Test.
The Proteas, who spectacularly lost at home 2-0 to Sri Lanka in their last Test series, face trial by spin when getting their World Test Championship campaign under way in a three-match series gets under way at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Philander said: “It’s a tough start… playing India in India but I don’t think the South Africans would have wanted it any other way … take the big dogs in their home ground.
“All of us are looking forward to this challenge and there are a lot of player-to-player challenges as well. Can’t wait to get going.”
South Africa will include three uncapped players – paceman Anrich Nortje, wicketkeeper Rudi Second and all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy – in their squad as they begin life without retired veterans Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla, while India have handed recalls to keeper Wriddhiman Saha and spinner Ravi Ashwin.
Faf du Plessis captains the South Afric side and interim team director Enoch Nkwe has taken charge after the decision not to renew the contract of West Indian coach Ottis Gibson following a disappointing World Cup campaign for the limited-overs side.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.