The Proteas Test captain, Temba Bavuma, is expecting nothing less than a tough tour when they head to the West Indies next month.

The Proteas will face the Windies in a two-Test series while they will also compete in a T20 International series. Bavuma makes a return to the national set-up after missing out on selection for the recent ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean. He said the West Indies seamers, in particular, will be a challenge to deal with.

Gerald Coetzee celebrating his first Test wicket. Picture: Cricinfo.

“In those conditions, there was quite a lot on offer for the seam bowlers, but we were about to get the right performance and the win on our side,” said Bavuma.

“The West Indian outfit, especially their bowling attack, is quite formidable in their conditions. I think they also know that their strength lies within their seamers.

More than enough depth

“With the bat, we’ll have to bring our A-game when we come up against the challenge.”

The Proteas were dealt a bowl with fiery fast bowler Gerald Coetzee ruled out of the tour with a side strain he picked up in Major League Cricket while playing for the Texas Super Giants in the USA. Migael Pretorius of the North West Dragons, another former Knights seamer, replaced him.

Bavuma feels they have more than enough depth in the seamer bowling department.

Migael Pretorius. Picture: Gallo

“I’m not worried, obviously it’s a setback,” said Bavuma. “We build our fast bowling attack on our fast bowlers and obviously he's one of the guys who you know can get his pace up in that 150km/h mark, so you know, I think from that point of view, guys coming in are guys like Dan Patterson. 

“They don't have the pace but definitely make it up in skill. I think he showed that in the New Zealand Test tour.

“We’ve got a young Michael Pretorius as well, who is coming from county cricket. We'll see how he kind of fits in within that dynamic, but I think our strategy, when it comes to our bowling, is no stranger to anyone.

“We put together our attack with our fast bowlers, although Marco Jansen won't be there but we'll still find a way to be effective in those conditions. I think for guys like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandré Burger, as well, it's a massive opportunity for them again to put up their hands and lead the bowling attack.”

The first Test will be played from 7 August in Port of Spain.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg