Proteas batters dominate opening day in Zimbabwe warm-up

Ahead of the all-important Ultimate Test against Australia at Lord’s in a week, the South Africa players hit the ground running in a warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe in Arundel.

Even as the two African sides feature in the practice game, the South African minds were focussed on the Australian challenge ahead.

Speaking on the tussle to follow this contest, opening batter Aiden Markram outlined the Proteas' mindset for the World Test Championship Final.

"I think it's the collective decision for each guy to bring their best skill. It's going to be a tough game," Markram told ICC Digital.

"It's a Test match, of course, against Australia and a Dukes ball, Lord’s, all those sorts of things, but ultimately, the guys have a skillset that have got them here, got them selected, throughout the cycle performed as well, doing those skills.

"So it's about backing that, our best skill versus their (Australia’s) best skill, and we'll see where it lands us at the end of the day."

The first day of the encounter was washed out, but the Proteas got much-needed game practice on Day 2.

The South Africa batters got a good workout after the side opted to bat in the warm-up clash.

Despite losing Aiden Markram for 13 early in the day, the Proteas batting unit picked it up as half-centuries from Ryan Rickelton, skipper Temba Bavuma, and in-form Tristan Stubbs led them to a formidable total of 313/2, following which they declared their innings.

Rickelton (62 off 93), Bavuma (58 off 85) and Stubbs (58 off 120) displayed their class with the bat, with a variety of shots catching eyes as the Proteas aim to go all-out to secure their first ICC trophy since 1998.

There were suggestions that the Proteas had zeroed in on Wiaan Mulder as their No. 3 batter, with the player walking out after Markram's loss early in the innings. He added 26 runs during his resolute knock at the crease.

As several batters opted to retire hurt not out, as many as nine South Africa batters got an opportunity to feature in the first innings.

Walking in at six and seven respectively were Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham, who contributed with 28 and 23 in Arundel.

Following South Africa’s declaration at 313/2, Zimbabwe’s time with the bat got off to a shaky start with Kagiso Rabada getting rid of Brian Bennett for 15.

Rabada and Jansen warmed up quite well with the ball, with the duo sharing the opening eight overs and were looking in fine shape as Zimbabwe concluded the day at 48/1 with Nicholas Welch and Sean Williams on the wicket.

With two more days of play left, the Proteas will be vying for more valuable time on the field to fine-tune themselves ahead of the challenge against Australia.