Donald backs Hendricks, Parnell
Bowling coach Allan Donald has heralded the improvement of uncapped seamers Beuran Hendricks and left-armer Wayne Parnell, as South Africa contemplate the personnel required for tough Test series against Pakistan, Australia and India.
Bowling coach Allan Donald has heralded the improvement of uncapped seamers Beuran Hendricks and left-armer Wayne Parnell, as South Africa contemplate the personnel required for tough Test series against Pakistan, Australia and India.
Parnell and Hendricks impressed for the A side against their Indian counterparts recently, with the latter securing telling figures of 11 for 63 in a convincing 121-run triumph at the LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria.
"The Test team picks itself, you're not going to see too many changes there. But it's the old thing with injuries and our youngsters need to be ready to play. I was very impressed with Beuran against India," said Donald.
"I was there that last day when he got his 11-for. I'll keep an eye on that youngster, I think he is progressing very quickly. Wayne is stepping up now too. The main thing is to keep the Test boys – Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Jacques Kallis – mentally and physically fresh.
"We have risen to world number one, and the challenge now is maintaining it. It's not putting us under pressure, it's just the standards this unbelievable team sets. That's why we got there."
The Proteas suffered a plighted ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka recently, and will soon travel to the United Arab Emirates for two Tests and seven limited-overs fixtures against Pakistan.
"We went to the Champions Trophy and then it was two weeks off before we went to Sri Lanka, which was a big learning curve for us, especially for our youngsters. Guys like Graeme Smith, Dale and Jacques weren't there," added Donald.
"It actually gave us quite a good gauge to see where we are. We also know some of our youngsters haven't been there before and found it tough against a quality Sri Lankan team on their own patch."
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