“It will work in our favour in that we want to give all the batsmen a chance to bat and can monitor our bowlers having gone hard for the first three days we have been here.
“It is an important match for us. Some of our guys are coming off good performances at home, but getting here and being exposed to the wickets will be crucial for us,” Maketa told a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
Fast bowling debutant Gerald Coetzee had settled in well.
“He has impressed a lot of the guys in the squad who may not have seen much of him, so we are excited about what he brings.
“I am always grateful to see a young player coming into the squad who is willing to learn and try different things. Having spoken to him, he also seems excited and looking forward to the opportunity he has been given.”
Maketa is confident the players who were part of the underperforming World Cup T20 squad had laid to rest those demons.
“Since we arrived here, our focus has been on how we will go about winning the series and the players who were here during the World Cup have contributed in many ways in terms of conditions, albeit T20 conditions.
“Test cricket brings with it different pressures, so I think the mental switch has definitely happened and earlier than we expected in terms of the energies we have received from them.”
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Maketa will use tour match to solve Proteas selection puzzles
Image: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
Proteas interim head coach Malibongwe Maketa will use the four-day match against a Cricket Australia XI to fit the final pieces of his selection puzzle together before the Test series starting next week.
The match at Allan Border Field in Brisbane from Friday will be followed by three Test matches at The Gabba in Brisbane (starting December 17), the MCG in Melbourne (December 26) and Sydney Cricket Ground (January 4).
The Tests will be crucial for the World Test Championship standings, as both sides look to cement their place at the top of the table.
With some tough training sessions under their belts, Maketa believes the match will offer him the opportunity to give his players time in the middle.
“It will work in our favour in that we want to give all the batsmen a chance to bat and can monitor our bowlers having gone hard for the first three days we have been here.
“It is an important match for us. Some of our guys are coming off good performances at home, but getting here and being exposed to the wickets will be crucial for us,” Maketa told a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
Fast bowling debutant Gerald Coetzee had settled in well.
“He has impressed a lot of the guys in the squad who may not have seen much of him, so we are excited about what he brings.
“I am always grateful to see a young player coming into the squad who is willing to learn and try different things. Having spoken to him, he also seems excited and looking forward to the opportunity he has been given.”
Maketa is confident the players who were part of the underperforming World Cup T20 squad had laid to rest those demons.
“Since we arrived here, our focus has been on how we will go about winning the series and the players who were here during the World Cup have contributed in many ways in terms of conditions, albeit T20 conditions.
“Test cricket brings with it different pressures, so I think the mental switch has definitely happened and earlier than we expected in terms of the energies we have received from them.”
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
Proteas will play brave cricket against the Aussies, says Maketa
Elgar expects spice, but no ill feeling, in Test series in Australia
Rabada puts World Cup disappointment behind him as he targets Test series against the Aussies
Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar wanted Maketa as interim coach
Proteas Test captain Elgar hopes rest has done wonders for Bavuma
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