Cape Town: South Africa coach Russell Domingo says the frustrating draw in Port Elizabeth has ensured his players are hyped-up for the third Test against the West Indies starting at Newlands here Friday.
Domingo says the New Year Test is the “marquee event” of the summer and is a match the players relish playing in, reports sport24.co.za.
“I'm not expecting any drawbacks (from drawn Test),” Domingo said.
“I'm expecting guys to really want to get out into the Newlands Test match cause that is seen as one of the marquee events of South African sport; a Test match at Newlands over the New Year period is a big event for us. I don't expect any change-room jetlag over what has happened over the last few days.”
The squad arrived in Cape Town Wednesday afternoon and has swiftly shifted their focus on to their last Test assignment of the season.
“It would have been nice to finish the series off in Port Elizabeth, there is no doubt about that,” Domingo said.
“We have to make sure that we are up for it in Cape Town. There is nothing we can do about what's happened over the last few days, with a short turnaround, guys have been sitting in the change-room so I'm sure they are desperate to get on to the cricket field.”
Domingo explained the inclusion of Warriors spinner Simon Harmer, saying the 24-year-old formed part of the longer-term plans of the Test squad.
“He joined us for a day of the Port Elizabeth Test match. We have a lot of cricket in the sub-continent these next few months so it's good to get guys like that closer to the side,” he said. of Harmer.
“He's been a good performer for the Warriors and the South African 'A' side. So it's good to get to know him a little bit better. It's for the team to understand what he is about; see his bowling, see his development, then make the call as to whether to play him or not. That is something I will need to discuss with the selectors but he is a guy we are looking closely at with the sub-continent in mind.”
