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Duminy promises hot cricket reception

The new-look Australia Test cricket team can expect no let-up from South Africa in Adelaide

Australian captain Steve Smith
The new-look Australia Test cricket team can expect no let-up from South Africa in Adelaide. (AAP)

South Africa promise a hot welcome for Australia's new-look Test cricket team as the tourists aim for a series sweep.

Australia's disastrous 2-0 series loss has prompting an overhaul, with six changes for the day-night Adelaide Test.

Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Chadd Sayers are in line for their debuts on Thursday.

South African batsman JP Duminy said they will do their homework on the newcomers.

"I don't know about them - I'm sure we'll do the preparations leading up to the game," Duminy said.

"When you're making your debut in the Test match arena it's always a nervy moment, no matter who you are.

"Any sort of team is going to try to exploit that at some time or another.

"So it's definitely something we'll consider."

Adelaide will be the first day-night Test for South Africa, using the pink ball.

They had a one-day tour match against a Victorian XI on Saturday, where Duminy and the other top order batsmen spent plenty of time in the middle trying to adapt to the unfamiliar ball.

He said they would train over the next few days at dusk, when the pink ball is most difficult to see properly while batting or in the field.

"Personally, the ball sort of has a gloomy feel to it," Duminy said.

"I'm not sure what is causing it, because the weirdest thing is when it's completely dark, it's a little bit easier.

"So you just have to fight through that phase.

"I don't know if it's a danger, it's just something you need to be wary of.

"The more we can spend time in that light, the easier it will be for us."

Duminy admitted it was probably a benefit that the series is not riding on the Adelaide Test, given some concerns in South Africa about the day-night format.

"In hindsight, probably ... but that doesn't change the motivation and desire to try and win the game," he said.

"We still have that hunger and desire. That's our main focus.

"It does put a different dimension on it, I guess, but it doesn't change the way we want to prepare, it doesn't change the way we want to stay determined and hungry for success."

Out-of-form opener Stephen Cook again fell cheaply on Saturday, but Duminy strongly backed him.

"We're fully behind Stephen, we know he's going to come good and hopefully it's in the next game," Duminy said.

"With his credentials, he definitely deserves his spot.

"It's not around selection, it's all about the support we can show him as a team."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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