Their wins in the T20 and ODI series notwithstanding, South Africa are wary of slow and spinning tracks that will be on offer in the upcoming four-Test series against India, and all-rounder Faf du Plessis on Monday said off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be their main threat.
Asked if the visitors are expecting the turf to suit the home side, du Plessis said, “We are expecting the ball to spin on day one, you expect it and then you plan for it.
“In India I think it is a lot more aggressive now than it used to be in the past where the pitches probably spin on day three, four and five but they start doing that on day one now.
“So that means the Test matches won’t last long. But for us if it lasts only three days, we will have our plans to try and be attacking, to make sure to wait for opportunity and put momentum in our favour,” Du Plessis told reporters at Mohali’s IS Bindra PCA stadium after the team’s practice session ahead of the first Test starting on Thursday.
Du Plessis said Ashwin, who will return to action after missing four of the five ODIs due to a side strain, will be the man to watch out for going into the Test series. “He is an outstanding spinner but I feel we played him well (in T20s). Now, its a case of Test cricket, but with the conditions he will get a little more turn,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Du Plessis said Ashwin, who will return to action after missing four of the five ODIs due to a side strain, will be the man to watch out for going into the Test series. “He is an outstanding spinner but I feel we played him well (in T20s). Now, its a case of Test cricket, but with the conditions he will get a little more turn,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“Ashwin is our main threat, but we will plan really well. The way we play Ashwin in this series will definitely determine the success in this series.”
Du Plessis expects the Mohali track to turn from the opening day.
“It looks quite dry. We are expecting big spin on day one.”
“The way the wicket is looking at the moment, perhaps, it’s worked,” he said about the Mohali track, in obvious reference to India’s liking for a turning track to suit their strength.