Domingo had hoped for more warm up games

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Cricket365
October 7, 2013

South Africa coach Russell Domingo says having only one warm-up match ahead of the series against Pakistan is 'not ideal' but is confident the players will be able to adapt to the hot conditions in the UAE.

The Proteas will play a warm-up game against Pakistan A in Sharjah this week, before the first Test starts in Abu Dhabi on 14 October. The players have been getting used to the hot conditions with trips to the beach, according to images posted by players on Twitter.

The coach said on Monday: "Ideally, we would have loved to have played two warm-up games ahead of a long tour. That would have settled us down nicely for the Test matches.

"When you get here it's always stifling but we will get used to it (the weather) after a couple of days. When you are on a long tour, you want two warm-up games. One warm-up game is not ideal.

"But it's better than nothing. Fortunately for us, some of the guys have been playing cricket in the Champions League while Hashim (Amla) was playing county cricket and others were preparing with their franchises.

"It's important to get all the players up to speed ahead of the Tests. We have re-emphasised the important elements that made this Test side so successful and we want to continue to execute those aspects of preparation.

"They are a mature bunch of cricketers, and have been around for a while."

Speaking of mature cricketers, the Proteas will be able to call on veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis after his extended break from the game. Domingo was confident 'Jakes' would be able to come out in top form.

He said: "Jacques is fresh and very excited to go. It's the longest break he has had in his career. He is fit physically and mentally, so that's good for us.

"He is a great professional. He knows the standards he has achieved and what he needs to do to maintain those standards."