Coach sure South Africa can rally at MCG

Roger Vaughan | December 23, 2022

It’s a bit soft, a little less green and most importantly, the same for everyone.

That’s the assessment from South African batting coach Justin Sammons after his first look at the MCG pitch for the Boxing Day Test.

Declaring that the landmark annual Test is the stuff that dreams are made of, Sammons is confidently predicting a big South African fighback after their shambolic Brisbane loss.

What the MCG pitch will offer has taken on greater importance after Australia skittled South Africa in only two days earlier this week at the Gabba.

The ICC rated the green top for the first Test as below average.

Sammons said on Friday it was tough to assess the MCG pitch, given it is still three days before the toss.

But he was adamant that the state of the Gabba deck was no excuse for their capitulation.

“It was a little bit soft,” he said.

“Both teams play on it … we can’t use the conditions as an excuse.

“The bottom line is we didn’t play to our potential. It’s who adapts best.”

He laughed nervously when asked to compare the MCG pitch to the Gabba deck.

“It’s different in its colour complexion … a little bit less green,” he said.

This will be South Africa’s first Boxing Day Test in Australia since 2008, when they won by nine wickets.

“Everybody is very excited – this is what dreams are made of,” he said.

“Everybody here in our squad would have dreamed of playing in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG, so it’s about embracing it … just embracing the challenge.”

He also noted that South Africa have been at their best this with their backs against the wall, rallying from 1-0 down to tie their Test series against New Zealand and beating India 2-1.

“Over the last year, funnily enough, we’ve played our best cricket when we have been behind,” he said.

“It’s not something we’re afraid of doing. The boys are up for the challenge.”