Ahead of the first Test match against India, South Africa's coach Conrad states that Rabada and Ngidi are currently available for selection
Coach Shukri Conrad has revealed that South Africa is hoping that both fast bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, will be ready for selection in the first Test match against India, which begins in Pretoria on Tuesday.Conrad claims that despite Rabada's heel injury and Ngidi's ankle problem, they are still on the team.Reporters were informed on Saturday by Conrad that "they are both here with us and that means they are available for selection as things stand.""We have not requested a replacement, and our goal is to have 15 fit players to choose from on match morning."Gerald Coetzee, the fiery 23-year-old fast bowler who won the 50-over World Cup in India last month, is expected to have a run regardless of whether the two play or not. He lacks test experience, but he should be able to find a surface at Centurion Park that has pace and bounce.In the two tests he has played so far, against the West Indies earlier this year, Coetzee has claimed nine wickets.Conrad remarked, "In Test cricket, he's still a baby." "Either holding the red or white ball in his hands, he has always been spectacular when he steps onto the pitch. This will merely be an additional step."He brings aggression and pace, two things we South Africans have always taken great pride in.""He brings all of those components, and maybe in a few years he can be spearheading our bowling attack thanks to the experience he gains playing for South Africa with the white and red ball and in (T20) leagues."India is attempting to win a Test series for the first time in South Africa, and Conrad believes his team is driven to maintain its reputation of never losing to the tourists on home soil."The fact that India has never won here does that, if it was possible to make this even bigger," he remarked. "We want to make sure that doesn't happen and we want to maintain that proud record."This series depends so much on these matches. There are two tests, so there is a lot of pressure. You are out of the series after falling behind 1-0. You can't lose while you're ahead 1-0. It will resemble a heavyweight boxing match.