Favourites SA look to make significant gains

Tue, Dec 16, '14

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Last summer was South Africa's season of significant loss, as far as Test cricket was concerned. They were confronted with the retirements of two of their most experienced players - Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith - and they were defeated for the first time in a series since claiming the Test mace, by Australia. This summer, they plan on it being a season of significant gain.

Any margin of victory over West Indies will keep South Africa at No.1 but it is not just rankings points that they hope to gain. A new batsman, likely to be Stiaan van Zyl, will be blooded while JP Duminy recovers from a knee injury; a relatively new opener, Dean Elgar, will have the chance to cement his spot; and two new squad members, Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, will have the opportunity to be integrated into the national set-up. It is a time of personal growth for South Africa, which they believe they can afford to have against the No.8-ranked side.

ESPNcricinfo has a  preview.