Taylor: Maybe a perfect time to play SA
England batsman James Taylor feels it could be the perfect time to play South Africa, ahead of the upcoming four-match Test series between the sides, starting on Boxing Day in Durban.
The Proteas will go into the much anticipated games against England on the back of being hammered three-nil in the Test series in India recently, with the Southern African side's vulnerability against spin bowling exposed.
England themselves come off a Test series defeat – they lost two-nil against Pakistan in the UAE – but Taylor makes sure to point out that the Three Lions are still an improving side under Australia caoch Trevor Bayliss, who took over earlier this year.
Taylor said: "South Africa have obviously come back from a tough tour of India, which you could say is the perfect time to play them. But they are the best team in the world on paper at the minute, so it is going to be a good test.
"It's exciting: we're in a really good place as a side and got plenty of exciting faces that have got a lot to prove. I think if you look how we did in the UAE, while the results didn't suggest it, I think we played far better cricket.
"It's a good time to play anybody because of the way we are as a side: we're an exciting side and every time we step onto the field we're improving."
The Boxing Day Test will be followed by the traditional New Years game at Newlands while the series will conclude with matches at the Wanderers and Centurion respectively.
Latest
-
NewsSilverwood unlikely to try Stokes-Buttler IPL job swap for England
Ben Stokes was promoted to the top of the order and Jos Buttler slotted in down at number five for Rajasthan Royals recently.
-
NewsRassie upbeat ahead of T20 series despite contrasting build-ups
South Africa have not played together since March while England had a full international programme over the summer.
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.
-
NewsOlly Stone ready to ‘bash down the door’ after England recall
The Warwickshire paceman was included in the one-day international squad against South Africa and impressed in an intra-squad warm-up game.
-
NewsSam Billings striving to make sure he keeps place in ‘phenomenal’ England side
Billings and Joe Root put on 103 for Jos Buttler’s XI in a 40-over intra-squad warm-up victory in Cape Town.
-
NewsJoe Root hits decisive 77 as Jos Buttler’s team triumph in England warm-up match
The 23-man squad was split in two for the 40-over practice match in Cape Town, with Team Eoin Morgan challenging Team Buttler.
-
NewsJoe Root hits 77 as England warm-up in Cape Town ahead of South Africa series
England split their squad into two teams for a 40-over practice match.