The Sunday Mail
Adapt and upset; that’s one man’s wish for Christmas.
So when the Zimbabwe cricket team open up a new chapter in Test cricket, in the company of big boys South Africa this Tuesday, they know what skipper Graeme Cremer really wants.
Zimbabwe might have lost to Cricket South Africa XI by five-wickets in a three-day warm-up match last week, but that was their first experience of this new format which uses pink balls.
The real game starts this Tuesday and naturally there is excitement amongst the Zimbabweans.
“This is history.
“The warm-up game was very good for us, just to be able to see how the pink ball reacts under lights,” said Cremer.
“Batting under lights is tough, we definitely found that out the hard way.
“We have discussed, at length, how we will deal with the ball under lights, but we will also have to assess the wicket at training today (yesterday),” said the 30-year-old leg-spinner.
He added:
“Guys are very excited and looking forward to the day/night Test.
“It’s historical and we want to embrace that, and give the Proteas a tough challenge . . . we definitely think an upset is possible, as long as we adapt to the conditions well and play to our ability,” Cremer said.
South are definitely favourites and their positive selection headache is a clear indication how the Ottis Gibson- coached side is strong.
They have got all of their big guns fit and available, a first in over 12 months.
Talisman AB de Villiers last played a Test in January 2016 due to injury and some personal reasons, while Steyn is back after suffering a shoulder injury in a Test against Australia in November 2016.
Vernom Philander and Morne Morkel are also available for selection, and so is Kagiso Rabada.
Four-day test facts:
This is the first four-day Test of the format which is under trial until the 2019 World Cup.
It is not compulsory for teams to play this format and the decision to trial this format was passed during the ICC Board meeting in Auckland, New Zealand in October.
A minimum of 98 overs will be played on each day of the four-day Test.
Under ICC playing conditions a minimum of 90 overs must be bowled in a day during a five-day Test.
This means in the four-day Test an extra 30 minutes will be added to accommodate the additional eight overs.
The follow on can be enforced after a first innings lead of 150 unlike in the five- day format where it comes into play with a 200 runs lead.
Play will start at 13:30 and end at 21:00.
The first session is from 13:30-15:45 while thettea break will be between 15:45 and 16:05.
The second session will be played from 16:05 – 18:20 before players go for supper from 18:20 -19:00.
The third and final session from 19:00 – 21:00.
