South Africa captain Dean Elgar said that he is aware of the lack of experience in his squad compared to the visiting Indian team but it is also an opportunity for youngsters to cement their spot in the Test team. South Africa face India in a three-Test series that starts with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
“It’s something that we’re aware of that we lack experience in our line-up but for me it’s an opportunity-based line-up,” Elgar is quoted as saying by Cricket South Africa. “Guys are going to get opportunities to play and they need to best prepare for that Indian line-up
“It’s a message I’ve been sending through to our guys for the last few months, opportunities are there, and guys need to make those positions their own. If they don’t, then there’s other guys waiting in line.
“It’s always going to be tough facing the best side in the world, they’ve got a very good bowling line-up and we’re aware of that. But opportunities is the one word that screams out for me to our players.”
The hosts suffered a blow earlier on Tuesday when Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the series due to a persistent injury.
But Elgar was optimistic they had a strong enough squad to cope without one of their leading fast bowlers.
“We’ve had three really good days of preparation here in Johannesburg,” he said. “It’s not ideal due to the Covid-19 situation and the injuries that some players have not had a lot of game time.
“There’s been a few setbacks, but we’re a professional outfit, we play professional cricket and we’re going to play against the best team in the world. We have no excuses to leave any stone unturned.
“We can’t let the setbacks hold us back for what is going to be a very good series.”
