Donald believes warm-up match crucial for SA

The Proteas were targeting a positive and strong start to their three-day warm-up match against Pakistan-A, which beings in Sharjah today.

"The run out in the next three days in going to determine how sharp we are when we get to the first Test," Proteas bowling coach, Allan Donald said on Monday. "We are going to have to look after guys because the heat is a big factor but I don't have any doubt that we will go into the first Test 110% prepared. It's important that we don't play catch-up cricket going into Abu Dhabi, the big thing in the next three days is for us to get some good overs and miles behind us."

JP Duminy was set to make a long-awaited return to the Test format after an absence of almost a year through injury.

"I'm quite happy to be starting back in," Duminy said after the Proteas' training session in Sharjah yesterday.

"The last two months have been good from a performance point of view. I have really enjoyed being back playing and playing in different tournaments."

Duminy was the man of the series during the T20 against Sri Lanka in August, and was consistent with the bat for the Hyderabad Sunrisers in the Champions League T20.

The Proteas would be playing 13 players in the match taking place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, in preparation for the Test series starting next week.

Duminy had been primed to play an important role with the ball, a responsibility he was eager to take on and one he had been working hard on with spin bowling consultant, Claude Henderson.

"Discussing different strategies and fields has helped. That is where Claude has been really good from a bowling perspective," Duminy said. "I think that is going to be important going forward in this series with the wickets turning more than they did before. The consistency in my length has always been key to my bowling performances."

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Sapa