Far from the rigours and intense pressures that is Test cricket, the touring West Indies have been presented with an ideal opportunity in Benoni to improve dramatically on two crucial aspects of their game.
While the Windies fought doggedly to secure an unlikely draw in the third Test at Newlands on Tuesday, they did so on the back of a stirring batting performance.
Their undisciplined bowling and staggeringly poor fielding, on the other hand, have been highlighted by skipper Brian Lara as needing immediate attention.
Lara said the Windies would approach the four-day tour match against defending Supersport champions Easterns beginning on Friday with the same intensity as a Test match.
”We’ve got to try and get the bowlers bowling as if they were bowling at the highest level,” added Lara.
”Both the batting and the bowling need a lot of work and we are all aware that we have to improve in those areas.
”I think if the bowling improves the fielding will improve and if the fielding improves the bowling will improve. The one will always help the other.”
Against such a limited attack, the South Africans have been able to score at close to four to the over for most of a series they lead 2-0 with the final Test to be played at Centurion next week.
By scoring so rapidly, the South Africans have given their attack considerably more time to dismiss the opposition twice.
For the tour match, the South African Test side have released both Andrew Hall and Andre Nel to their province but it is unclear whether both will turn out for Easterns.
If either does, it is likely to be Hall whose place in the playing XI has been usurped by Nel.
The hosts will also be able to call upon former national batsman Daryll Cullinan, who has recovered from a groin injury that has kept him out of the local limited-overs competition. — Sapa