South Africa series promises plenty: Hughes

Josh Kempton

Former Australian captain Kim Hughes believes the upcoming Test series between Australia and South Africa will be a brilliant contest.

Hughes was profusely critical of the West Indies side trounced 2-0 in Perth and Adelaide, saying they would struggle to beat a state second XI, but expects the Proteas to offer a much sterner examination.

“They’ve got as good an attack as there is in the world, I’m looking forward to seeing them all. I mean, Rabada and Ngidi and [Nortje], you’re not going to get too many half volleys to start with,” Hughes told Sports Breakfast.

“The good thing is we’re going to see some decent Test cricket, and if you get a hundred, you’re going to have to bat really, really well, and it’s going to take you four hours.”

“The real issue for South Africa is not going to be taking wickets, it’s going to be runs you get, and that’s the issue.

While the South African bowlers are expected to offer quality, more questions surround their batting, particularly with the experienced Temba Bavuma battling a nagging elbow injury.

“They play five quicks, then you’ve got the wicket-keeper, and then you’ve only got five batsmen. Their batting is their vulnerability,” Hughes said.

“No Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock as well, and he was nowhere near as good as Adam Gilchrist but he was in that same mould, a very dangerous player, so that’s their issue.

“Their ability to score 300 plus, and you’d imagine up in Brisbane … there’s always a chance to really swing the ball around a fair bit, and Starc and Cummins coming back and leading the side, so that’s going to be their issue.”

Hughes offered support for West Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who looked out of sorts with the bat in his limited opportunities against the West Indies.

“He didn’t get a bat in Perth and then had to try and come out and slog in Adelaide, which is not his go,” he said.

“My advice to him would to be very positive. Watch it, hit it, and have fun, that’s it, those are the three basics.

“Forget about your place in the side, forget about what might happen, just get out there, see ball, hit ball, and enjoy yourself.” The first Test of the series kicks off in Brisbane at the Gabba tomorrow, before heading to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test and Sydney for the New Year’s Test.

IMAGE: India TV News.