Proteas boss Ottis Gibson challenged his top-order batsmen to score big runs as he weighs up his options to replace injured Vernon Philander.
South Africa will be without the star allrounder for the second and final Test against Sri Lanka with a hamstring as they look to square up the series in Port Elizabeth on Thursday (10.30 am).
With Philander also looking set to miss the upcoming five-match ODI series, Gibson is considering 20-year-old prospect Wiaan Mulder to fill the gap after saying the Lions star would be a “like for like replacement”.
But the West Indian’s real problem lies with Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla failing to score runs to build a competitive first-innings total.
Looking to avoid a first home Test series defeat since 2015-16, Gibson says it’s time to focus.
OPTIONS: Coach Ottis Gibson. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
He says: “We feel that the batters we got here are the best ones to do the job at the moment.
“The one thing we spoke about is batting better in the first innings. We have to do that we win this Test match.”