"The seamers have to "set up" the spinners to play a bigger role on days four andfive.You have to create pressure to make the spinners particularly effective against an ever-improving South African batting line up." Predictably, Wanderers and Kingsmead will not roll out dust bowls and the Indian pacers will have to lead the way.
Zaheer Khan becomes the inevitable lynchpin of the attack. "Zaheer has shown great determination to play for India again and embarked on a rigorous training programme. The young Indian attack has done very well over the past months and Zaheer's skill will not only add greatly to the potency and variety to the attack, but he will also add great value with his calm demure and ability to read an opponent and a situation. The role and importance of the seam attack is potentially far greater in South Africa than in India and having him in the squad will be a huge asset not only to the bowlers but to the captain as well," says the South African who was India's bowling coach when the team won the World Cup.
Simons, however, cautions the young pacers to not get carried away by the favourable conditions here.
"They need to quickly learn how to bowl in South Africa and not get carried away by the seamer-friendly conditions. They should refrain from trying to take wickets off every delivery and focus on correct lines and importantly lengths to bowl in South Africa," the assistant coach of the Delhi Daredevils team says.
So what is the right line and length in South Africa? "The length is usually a little fuller than the wickets in India because of the bounce in the pitch. The pace of the wickets allows the seamers to bowl a little wider line. The pitches will provide opportunities to take wickets but you need to be bowling in the right area consistently," he observed.
So, can India win the series? "They can," says Simons with a couple of riders. "If they can score enough runs - it will depend on the top order handling the pace and shortpitched barrage they are bound to receive - andofcoursetheoddverbalexchange.They must not get caught up in the emotional battle, but rather stick to their own game plans and be calm and focus."
The other rider is the menacing Dale Steyn factor. "How the Indian batsmen handle Dale Steyn is the key point. If they can survive his onslaught and look comfortable they will win a significant psychological battle and set themselves up for a good series," he avers.
Finally, what about Mohammed Shami, the new pace hope from India? "I have been very impressed. He appears to have deceptive pace without being express but what has impressed me most is his control and consistency which is what every captain appreciates."
ERIC'S QUICK TAKES
On Bhuvneshwar Kumar
He gets more conventional swing than most. The conditions here will ensure that the ball remains in a good condition for longer. So, he will be effective for longer as he can swing the ball for a longer time.
On Umesh Yadav
He seems to have lost some confidence which is crucial for an express fast bowler, whoneedstobowlwithafreemind.Hispace is a rare talent but its best used with control. If he gains that his confidence will rise and he will be back at his best.
On SA pace attack
A formidable unit with a variety of options.SteynandVernonPhilanderhavetaken most of the wickets in recent times but they have been particularly effective when the likes of Morne Morkel is bowling well and keeping the pressure on the batsmen.
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