Keshav Maharaj is relishing the prospect of being tested on batting friendly surfaces in Pakistan when the Proteas get their Champions Trophy campaign underway.
Maharaj played his one and only ODI in Pakistan just last week when the home side chased down a total of over 350, with the slow-bowler sticking to his task well despite the defeat.
The 35-year-old went for 54 runs in his 10 overs without taking a wicket but was the most economical bowler on show from the Proteas bowling attack.
Maharaj said: “It’s a nice test. As cricketers, if you’re not tested in your chosen skill, then you’re not going to challenge yourself to get better.
“I think it’s a wonderful advert to see the high scores, and when the bowler does come out on the right side of things, it shows his class and worth within the team and the world line-up.
“To get success, it’s about building pressure and just limiting the boundary balls in between. It’s probably more of that holding role that one’s accustomed to seeing in South Africa.
“It’s not about changing the way I bowl, it’s just about changing the field sets that we have. I’m still trying to bowl my best ball to create opportunity, but with probably a more defensive type of field, maybe not carrying a slip for so long. That’s basically the sort of mindset.”
The conditions that are expected for the tournament also mean that the Proteas batting unit will be under pressure to put up more than decent totals.
Maharaj said the batters were certainly not complaining, but they still need to put in the hard yards if they want to be successful.
“They’re quite happy with the conditions,” Maharaj said. “But they understand that it’s not just rock up and score runs. It’s still a process and method.
“When wickets are in your favour, you train that much harder because you want to make the most of the opportunity that you’re presented with.
“I don’t think there’s any sense of complacency even though conditions are deemed to be in the batters’ favour. You’re going to see a supercharged outfit.”
