Daryll Cullinan hopes the lessons learnt from the 3-0 Test defeat by Australia are applied when South Africa take on New Zealand, starting with the first Test at Centurion on Saturday.
The elegant right-handed batsman, who is now a member of SuperSport’s commentary team, believes the three-Test series against New Zealand is an ideal opportunity for certain players to prove themselves capable at the highest level of the game.
”It will be hard,” said Cullinan, who played 70 Tests (average 44&,21) and 130 one-day internationals (average 32,99) for South Africa. ”They are a good side and if Shane Bond is fit and firing, they will be tough to beat.”
Cullinan believes the competition for places in the South African side will motivate the players to new heights.
”It is a big South African squad and I think the message is clear: the guys need to perform or they will be replaced. I wouldn’t be surprised if Herschelle Gibbs didn’t start the series and a guy like Hashim Amla got a run. Also, I expect Dale Steyn and
Garnett Kruger to feature at some stage,” he said.
”If we beat New Zealand convincingly, it will give the guys some breathing space. They will then be able to go off and have a nice rest before going off to Sri Lanka later in the year.” – Sapa