Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassadors, Mike Procter and Vernon Philander share their thoughts ahead of the Proteas’ two-match Test series against the West Indies.
With no prospect of a WTC final, the Proteas will need to knuckle down and produce the goods against the touring West Indies. The two-match Test series gets underway on Tuesday 28 March at SuperSport Park Centurion.
Much was made of South Africa’s woeful display with the willow in Australia. That 2-0 series defeat, coupled with Inida’s dominant wins over the Aussies has put paid to any hopes that Temba Bavuma and his charges had of reaching the WTC’s showpiece event in England.
Philander, who was recently announced as Hollywoodbets’ newest Brand Ambassador is looking forward to the visit of the West Indies who come into this after a series win in Zimbabwe.
“I think both teams come into this Test match with a lot of questions surrounding their batting lineups. I do, however, feel that the return of Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen (injury) as well as the inclusion of Heinrich Klaasen who has been red-hot of late will just give South Africa the edge in the batting department over the Windies,” said Philander.
While there is cause for cautious optimism in the batting department, there’s no doubt that South Africa boasts one of the best pace attacks in world cricket.
“South Africa, of course, have a wonderful seam attack led by the fastest man in the world at the moment, Anrich Nortje and our very own world beater, Kagiso Rabada. We’ve also got Hollywood Foundation Ambassador Keshav Maharaj. He’s been in red-hot form taking 11 wickets in a recent First-Class game for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins against the Knights,” Philander told the Hollywood Sports Blog.
Procter is looking forward to seeing the direction the side takes under the leadership of Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad.
“South Africa have a new look. They have a new captian with Temba Bavuma taking over from Dean Elgar and a new coach in Shukri Conrad, who is also the convener of the national selection team in the interim.
It’s going to be an interesting contest. SuperSport Centurion is a good surface that seems to favour the fast bowlers. The coach has actually said that he may include quicks in Nortje, Rabada, Marco Jansen and maybe Gerald Coetzee who could make his debut,” said Procter.
The first Test gets underway on Tuesday 28 February at SuperSport Centurion. The first ball is set to be bowled at 10:00.
